Gordon Brown: Ten New ‘Eco Towns’ for Britain
On the 24th September 2007, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave his initial speech as the leader of the Labour Party. The event took place at the party’s conference, currently being held in Bournemouth and one of the key points of his speech had great relevance to the Construction Industry. Amid pledges made in the fields of health and education, Mr Brown also promised that ten new so-called ‘eco towns’ would be built – one in every region of Britain.
The commitment effectively doubled that made prior to the Prime Minister taking up his position three months ago – at which point the construction of five of the government’s environmentally friendly, sustainable community sites was pledged.
Speaking to those gathered at the conference, Mr Brown said: “For the first time in nearly half a century we will show the imagination to build new towns - eco towns with low and zero carbon homes. And today because of the response we have received we have are announcing that instead of just five new eco towns, we will now aim for ten eco towns- building thousands of new homes in every region of the country.”
Returning to the original promise made in May, Mr Brown explained to the audience that its expansion had been fuelled by the positive response it has received. Then, he detailed the projected construction of as many as 100,000 homes. Now, the aim is to reach a level where 240,000 new homes of all kinds are being built per annum.
The eco-towns will be built on former industrial sites - powered by energy generated locally, and employing sustainable sources.
To date, said the government, approximately 30 developers, councils and other parties have expressed interest in the construction of eco-towns.
Mr Brown also touched on affordable/social housing, in which he pledged to invest an amount of £8 billion. This, he stated: “...will mean a 50 per cent increase in funds for social housing.”
He continued: “I call on all housing associations and councils of all political parties not only to support shared equity for first time buyers, but to help us build more social homes for rent, more homes for key workers and more homes to cut the unacceptable levels of overcrowding. Good homes to rent and buy for the British people.”
Source – Construction International’s Sub Editor
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