Eco-towns a mistake, FMB says

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has added to the mounting criticism towards government proposals for a number of new eco-towns.

Lord Rogers recently described the scheme as the "biggest mistake" by the government, comments with which the director of external affairs at the FMB, Brian Berry, concurs.

Calling for redundant homes around the UK to be refurbished, he said: "The simple fact is that building brand new eco-towns outside existing towns and cities is a really bad idea when there are 675,000 homes in England alone sitting empty and ripe for refitting with green technologies."

Instead of the current plans, local regions and communities should be given more power in the decision and a range of smaller projects should be approved, Mr Berry said.

The success of small "innovative" construction companies will be hindered by the large eco-town contracts, he added.

Housing minister Caroline Flint said this week that the Eco Town Challenge Panel will be making recommendations to propertydevelopers who have submitted plans for eco-towns.


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