Four locations have been shortlisted in the East of England. These include Coltishall in Norfolk, Hanley Grange in Cambridgeshire, Marston Vale and New Marston in Bedfordshire and Elsenham, Essex.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:
"We have a major shortfall of housing and with so many buyers struggling to find suitable homes, more affordable housing is a huge priority. To face up to the threat of climate change, we must also cut the carbon emissions from our housing. Eco-towns will help solve both of these challenges.
"Building in existing towns and cities alone simply cannot provide enough new homes. I understand this is an issue that can raise strong opinions, but everyone now has the opportunity to express their views before any decisions are made - because this is an issue that affects us all."
Based on an evaluation of the bids, the Government can today announce no new homes would be built on Green Belt land. In addition more than 30% of the overall new houses will be affordable housing, delivering tens of thousands more homes for those on lower incomes.
Publication of the shortlisted locations also reveals that they make significant use of previously developed brownfield land including former MoD land, military depots, disused airfields and former mining pits and industrial sites. The shortlisted locations address regional priorities such as a severe shortage of suitable housing (such as Elsenham and Ford) or the regeneration of former industrial areas (Marston Vale and New Marston).
More than 40 proposals have not been taken forward for being undeliverable or not ambitious enough to meet the high environmental and affordability standards set by Government.
To ensure the final eco-towns incorporate the best and most innovative proposals for sustainable living, Caroline Flint has also announced she intends to form a panel of experts who will work with developers to improve their plans. To be formed of leading figures from the fields of climate change and sustainability, energy, planning, transport, and business, the Eco-town Challenge will provide expert advice to bidders and challenge them to deliver the most sustainable developments possible.
Caroline said:
"Some really innovative green ideas have been proposed - from free public transport for all residents to using the waste heat from nearby power stations to heat homes and businesses. But today I am setting the bar high and challenging bidders to go further.
"I have already rejected more than 40 proposals and those promoting eco town schemes cannot rest on their laurels. That is why I want a panel of experts challenging developers to meet the highest standards possible for sustainability, affordability and creativity."
Today's announcement of the shortlist of potential locations is only the first stage and they will now be consulted on with the public, local authorities and wider stakeholders. Bidders who have cleared the first hurdle will face considerably tougher tests ahead if they want to become eco-towns and will need to improve proposals still further.
Shortlisted locations now face further challenges including public consultation and a detailed Sustainability Appraisal which will assess the merits and challenges for each one.
The final schemes being promoted will have to reach zero carbon standards by promoting leading edge green technologies, provide high levels of affordable housing, demonstrate how they will deliver key infrastructure such as good public transport, schools and health facilities and safeguard local wildlife.
Eco-towns will be the first new towns since the 1960s and will tackle the combined challenges of climate change, the need for more sustainable living and a real shortage of housing for families and first-time buyers. The Government has said it wants to build five eco-towns by 2016 and up to ten by 2020 as part of ambitious plans to build 3 million homes by 2020.
With new communities being designed from scratch, eco-towns will also present an excellent opportunity to incorporate the best standards and latest developments in public services at the very heart of these new communities.
We will now consult widely for three months to get preliminary views on the benefits of eco-towns and these shortlisted locations, the first of four key stages to becoming an eco-town. A final shortlist of locations will be published later this year, after which each potential eco-town will need to submit a planning application.
