Renewable Energy - Sustainable towns list unveiled

04/04/2008

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has named 15 potential locations for the UK's first eco-towns, which will use renewable energy such as solar heating.

Housing minister Caroline Flint said that the eco-towns will help the nation's effort to reduce carbon emissions, as well as increase the supply of affordable housing.

"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," the minister commented.

Homes built in the development will conform to strict standards of sustainability, with communities using clean technologies such as high efficiency boilers and solar heating.

Towns of up to 15,000 new homes will be built in areas including Doncaster, Oxfordshire and Leicestershire, making use of brownfield land such as former industrial sites and Ministry of Defence land.

The CLG's Eco-Town Prospectus highlights the benefits of the developments, including local regeneration, greater community empowerment and healthy living initiatives for residents.