Eco-town planning and development gets £10m funding

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Green building skills could be one of the potential benefits of £10 million funding for eco towns.

By Ashley Brunskill

A "second wave" of eco-towns has progressed thanks to £10 million of funding granted by the government, some of which was used for green property investment.

Construction of demonstrator projects and "eco-show homes" could also help to create apprenticeships to advance green building skills.

Investing in green skills for the future could help to shape a more energy-efficient planning and development process.

Northstowe received £1.5 million and it is hoped that approximately 9,500 homes will be created.

On top of this, 9,000 new jobs could open up in the town, which may include in the property investment sector.

Commenting on the funding, John Healey, the planning minister, said: "Local authorities and partnerships across the country have recognised that eco-towns in the future will not be exceptional and the standards we are setting now will spread like an eco-echo for all new development."

Communities and Local Government also announced that three planning policies had been overhauled so that councils can effectively go forward with the development of eco-towns and the progression of more efficient property.

Source: ask-re The Property People LLP