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New question marks over eco-towns New question marks over eco-towns
(40 minutes later)
Nearly all the locations earmarked for new eco-towns have question marks about them, ministers have acknowledged.Nearly all the locations earmarked for new eco-towns have question marks about them, ministers have acknowledged.
Of the 12 sites identified as having development potential, one is currently regarded as "generally suitable". Of the 12 sites identified as having development potential, only one - Rackheath near Norwich - is currently regarded as "generally suitable".
And ministers have stiffened the criteria for potential sites including a requirement for every town to have at least 40% of its area as "green space". The site in Weston Otmoor, Oxfordshire, is the most unlikely to be pursued.
MPs have urged ministers to rethink the economic and environmental implications of building new towns. Ministers have stiffened the criteria for potential sites including a requirement for every town to have at least 40% of its area as "green space".
In addition, all buildings and homes must have zero carbon output.
Ministers have said any new towns will be subject to the "toughest ever green standards" but MPs have still urged ministers to rethink the economic and environmental implications of the policy.
I do not expect all of these locations to go forward Margaret Beckett
In a recent report, the Environment Audit Committee expressed concerns about what job opportunities and public transport services would be available to residents of any new towns.
The government initially set its sight on 15 new eco-towns across England as models for future sustainable development.
Residents close to several of the proposed developments fiercely oppose the plans.
Sustainability
Announcing the second phase of its public consultation, ministers said 12 sites would be taken forward for consideration.
Of these, ten have been deemed "potentially suitable" subject to them meeting specific planning and design requirements.
They are:
  • Middle Quinton, Warwickshire
  • Newton-Bingham, Nottinghamshire
  • Ford, West Sussex
  • Bordon-Whitehill, Hampshire
  • St Austell, Cornwall
  • Rossington, South Yorkshire
  • North East Elsenham, Essex
  • Pennbury, Leicestershire
  • Marston Vale, Bedfordshire
  • North West Bicester, Oxfordshire
Following a study into their likely impact on the environment and local community, Western Otmoor was given the lowest "grade C" rating, meaning that it is extremely unlikely to proceed.
On the other hand, the site at Rackham, on the outskirts of Norwich, has been classified as "grade A" - meaning it faces fewer potential obstacles than any other location.
Rackham was proposed as an alternative to a nearby site at Coltishall which has been dropped. A proposed site in Leeds has also been dropped from the list.
Housing minister Margaret Beckett has said that some of the remaining sites could fall by the wayside.
"I believe it is vital we get the locations for these eco-towns right and the shortlist has been refined to reflect the results of the most detailed assessment to date on these potential locations," she said.
"I do not expect all of these locations to go forward - the eco-town standards are tough and I think some of these shortlisted schemes could struggle to meet them."
Eco-towns, expected to sustain between 5,000 and 20,000 homes, will be required to go through the same planning processes as other major developments.