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ELSENHAM: 5,000-home "eco-town" earmarked for village
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| Housing Minister Caroline Flint has included Elsenham on a shortlist of 15 potential "eco-towns" (c) |
A 5,000-home development at Elsenham is being proposed after the village was included on the Government's shortlist of 15 potential "eco-towns".
The earmarked for north east of the existing village could include 1,800 "affordable" homes in an area described by the Government as being one experiencing "extreme affordability pressure".
Housing Minister Caroline Flint has announced 15 potential locations which will go forward to the next stage, providing the opportunity for a major boost in affordable housing across the country whilst tackling climate change.
She 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."
The Government has said that no new homes would be built on Green Belt land.
advertisementIn addition more than 30 per cent of the overall new houses will be affordable housing, delivering tens of thousands more homes for those on lower incomes.
The Elsenham proposal is singled out by the Government as being one which would ideal to solve a severe housing shortage in the area.
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.
Publication of the shortlist is the first stage and a three-month period of consultation is now underway.
The final schemes 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 three million homes by 2020.
A final shortlist of locations will be published later this year, after which each potential eco-town will need to submit a planning application.
2:00pm Thursday 3rd April 2008
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