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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| More plans for new towns revealed | More plans for new towns revealed |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Plans to build a string of new towns of at least 5,000 homes each are being developed by nine local authorities aided by a government grant of £10m. | |
| The first four developments were announced for Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Cornwall in July. | The first four developments were announced for Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Cornwall in July. |
| Now authorities in Lincolnshire, Leeds, Coventry, Taunton and Yeovil are looking at potential sites. | Now authorities in Lincolnshire, Leeds, Coventry, Taunton and Yeovil are looking at potential sites. |
| Protesters claim the new towns - dubbed "eco towns" by the government - could have an impact on transport and jobs. | Protesters claim the new towns - dubbed "eco towns" by the government - could have an impact on transport and jobs. |
| Councils will receive a share of a £10m government pot for developing their plans, which need to include provision of 5,000 homes, at least 30% of which must be affordable housing. | |
| Environmental questions | Environmental questions |
| Five authorities are looking at 10 locations for new developments at Monkton Heathfield and Corneytrowe in Taunton, Yeovil, the Lincoln area and Gainsborough, Coventry and Leeds. | Five authorities are looking at 10 locations for new developments at Monkton Heathfield and Corneytrowe in Taunton, Yeovil, the Lincoln area and Gainsborough, Coventry and Leeds. |
| Two existing proposals, at Shoreham Harbour in West Sussex and Northstowe in Cambridgeshire, could be redesigned in an effort to meet higher standards of "sustainability". | Two existing proposals, at Shoreham Harbour in West Sussex and Northstowe in Cambridgeshire, could be redesigned in an effort to meet higher standards of "sustainability". |
| Councils in Cornwall and Sheffield are to carry out broader surveys of potential developments. | Councils in Cornwall and Sheffield are to carry out broader surveys of potential developments. |
| Housing Minister John Healey said the government hoped to see 10 new towns built by 2020. | Housing Minister John Healey said the government hoped to see 10 new towns built by 2020. |
| He added: "The further nine areas are looking at proposals to design and develop to the tough new eco-town standards." | He added: "The further nine areas are looking at proposals to design and develop to the tough new eco-town standards." |
| But some environmental groups and residents have questioned the impact on the planning system, transport links, jobs provision and environmental impact of the sites. | But some environmental groups and residents have questioned the impact on the planning system, transport links, jobs provision and environmental impact of the sites. |
| The plans have also been criticised by opposition groups. | The plans have also been criticised by opposition groups. |
| Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, said: "Ministers have already conceded that eco-towns will create homes which are less green than ordinary houses built at the same time. | Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, said: "Ministers have already conceded that eco-towns will create homes which are less green than ordinary houses built at the same time. |
| "This latest desperate announcement is the government simply trying to save face by throwing in existing planned developments and calling them eco-towns." | "This latest desperate announcement is the government simply trying to save face by throwing in existing planned developments and calling them eco-towns." |