NATIONAL PLANNING FORUM 17 MARCH 2008 HENRY CLEARY – HOUSING & GROWTH PROGRAMMES

2 HOUSING GREEN PAPER ECOTOWNS – The Idea Exemplar green developments of 5-20,000 homes Freestanding, with own facilities, but well linked to nearby towns Zero carbon as a whole A series of “demonstrator” schemes across the country Drawing on the best of the new towns experience

3 ECOTOWNS Good Design – Facilities within walking distance, high quality public transport helping to reduce car use and improve quality of life. New approaches on health, education and community empowerment.

4 ECOTOWNS The top line challenge is to meet zero carbon targets early by using the total design potential – buildings, location of shops and services and layout – supplied by own power source waste to energy/ renewables

5 ECO-TOWNS Why new settlements? -Limits to extending a town -Limits to density (“garden grabbing”) -Type of housing (families not flats) But still only one option in portfolio -goes alongside town centre renewal -Most growth still urban

6 New Towns plus green belt – the 1944 deal

7 NORTHSTOWE Northstowe – a “prototype” eco-town - 10,000 homes proposed on ex airfield 4 miles outside Cambridge, now purchased by EP from Defence Estates; benefits from £100m guided bus scheme and major A14 upgrade. Endorsed in Core Strategy and AAP – planning application by EP/Gallaghers in Dec 2007.

8 CRANBROOK, EAST DEVON Exeter, East Devon A new growth point which includes a new settlement, making good use of rail (and airport/business park)

9 ECO-TOWNS The Challenge this time -Smart growth (link into existing infrastructure) -Community development (“New Town blues”) -Needs a strong delivery approach to manage mainly private investment -Draw on good practice from Germany and Netherlands etc. -Make environmental and transport constraints an opportunity eg. watersaving, new green infrastructure.

10 ECO-TOWNS An open debate CLG statement of March 07 started discussion. Harness ideas: -TCPA – Good Practice Guidance – garden city ideals -Design competition (CABE, RIBA, Prince’s Foundation) -Environmental Groups – greener living -Showing how it can be done

11 ECO-TOWNS What we have done so far -Initial sift against basic criteria -Schemes jointly assessed with DfT, DEFRA, EA, NE & HA -Informal consultation and meetings with LAs, RAs, RDAs -Shortlist for Ministerial decision

12 ECO-TOWNS Planning All schemes need a planning application Where possible use emerging local plan Government will set out its views with shortlist and commission sustainability appraisal Opportunities for consultation -shortlist -sustainability appraisal -application