Eco-towns will result in more carbon emissions say FMB

Permalink: Eco-towns will result in more carbon emissions say FMB
by Kay Murchie

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has indicated that eco-towns could result in more carbon emissions.

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has announced the Government’s intention to build 10 eco-towns in England and Wales with 5 of them built by 2016 and the remainder to be completed by 2020.

However, according to Brian Berry of the FMB, the proposals are unworkable. He questions how green the new towns are going to be in transport terms.

Even with car clubs, cycle lanes and a bus service, these places are going to be packed out with new roads and new roads lead to more car use, and as a result, more carbon emissions, said Mr Berry.

Mr Berry’s argument echoes that of Lord Rogers, an architect and designer of the Millennium Dome and Heathrow Terminal 5.

Earlier this week, Lord Rogers said he thinks eco-towns are one of the biggest mistakes the Government could make.

Speaking at a New London Architecture conference on density, Lord Rogers added that building in green areas for 5,000 to 10,000 people has to be car-based. It will not be a walking, living community. It goes against everything we know about sustainability.

The FMB believes a patchwork of hundreds of smaller eco-projects is a concept, with contracts awarded by local regions and communities for both new homes (in existing towns, near existing transport links) and refurbishment of old buildings, with green measures spread around a range of proven technologies.

The 15 locations shortlisted for the eco-towns are as follows: Bordon, Coltishall, Curborough, Elsenham, Ford in West Sussex, Hanley Grange, Imerys, Leeds and Manby, Marston Vale, New Marston in Bedfordshire, Middle Quinton, Pennbury, Rossington, Rushcliffe and Weston Otmoor.