Tougher green standards should be the aim for all new housing development, not just eco towns, says RTPI
Housing Minister Caroline Flint's tougher environmental targets for eco-towns should be extended to all new development, says RTPI. Policy Director Rynd Smith said: 'Most of the standards proposed today for eco-towns should apply to all new housing. Carbon neutral homes, ready access to public transport and the provision of plenty of green spaces shouldn’t be aims unique to eco-towns. They are the minimum standard that should be demanded of any new development.
'Today’s announcement highlights the need for the government to shift from an eco-town to an eco-quarters policy, which encompasses urban expansion projects, redevelopments and regeneration of existing urban areas. Applying more rigorous environmental standards to these types of development will bring us much closer to a sustainable housing future. It will also mean people are provided with homes which are already near by to existing infrastructure and services, like public transport networks. That will make the government’s green targets easier to achieve:
'Today’s announcement highlights the need for the government to shift from an eco-town to an eco-quarters policy, which encompasses urban expansion projects, redevelopments and regeneration of existing urban areas. Applying more rigorous environmental standards to these types of development will bring us much closer to a sustainable housing future. It will also mean people are provided with homes which are already near by to existing infrastructure and services, like public transport networks. That will make the government’s green targets easier to achieve:
- Achieving zero carbon status on all buildings with an eco-town
- 40 per cent of the land within the eco-town must be green space
- Ecotowns must provide a minimum 30 per cent affordable housing
- The average home must be located within a 10 minute walk of public transport and services
- Ensuring that the majority of journeys can be made via non car transport
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