Eco-towns Overview
In July 2007 the Government published the eco-towns prospectus and invited bids to establish what it called eco-Towns. The key factors set out in that document are:
Eco-towns would be small new towns of at least 5,000 to 20,000 homes:
- intended to create a complete new settlement
- zero carbon development
- more sustainable living
The key features the Government want to achieve are:
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places with a separate and distinct identity but good links to surrounding towns and cities in terms of jobs, transport and services;
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the development as a whole to achieve zero carbon and to be an exemplar in at least one area of environment technology;
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a good range of facilities within the town including a secondary school, shopping, business space and leisure;
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between 30 and 50 per cent affordable housing with a good mix of tenures and size of homes in mixed communities; and
- a delivery organisation to manage the town and its development and provide support for people, businesses and community services.
The Government when launching the eco-town Selection Process was looking to encourage and support local authorities and the private sector to bring forward around five new schemes.
This was then increased to 10 to be chosen from a shortlist of 15 sites. Ford was been selected as one of the 15 sites and there are two bids submitted for the Ford area. Ford Proposals