The wait is over and the Government has just announced the 4 successful locations for what is being termed the "first wave" of eco towns. The locations are no real surprise (Rackheath, Norwich; North West Bicester; St Austell (China Clay) in Cornwall and Whitehill-Bordon in Hampshire) and all have strong local political support. The hope is that applications can come through the planning process and achieve permissions during 2010.
The announcement comes alongside the publication (on 16 July 2009) of the supplement to PPS1 which, as well as giving the eco town locations, sets out the challenge in terms of what they must deliver. A £60m infrastructure fund is also being made available and the successful schemes can bid for schemes to support local infrastructure.
Although I have been critical of the way in which the Government has handled the eco town issue (often causing unnecessary confusion and giving rise to opposition which might have been avoided), I am a fan of the concept and can see that these schemes could be very exciting. So now that the names are in print, lets get behind them!
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