Eco-towns plan under threat

Those hoping to live in an eco-home could find their plans being undermined by local authorities opposed to any of the government's 15 shortlisted eco-towns being built in their authority areas.

Just two of the sites chosen to go forward to the next stage by housing minister Caroline Flint have been led by local authorities and some of the others are set to face opposition from councils, reports Inside Housing.

Among the local authorities against the proposals are Arun in West Sussex, which is against the building of 5,000 eco-homes on a disused airfield and Lichfield, whose leader David Smith has said the proposed development at Curborough is "totally wrong for our district".

Those keen on living in an eco-home may decide in these circumstances to take control of the matter by going down the self build route.

An example of the method being used to create such a house was reported in Leicestershire this week.

Retired electrical engineer Tony Williams and his two sons are creating an eco-home with solar panels and high levels of insulation in the village of Braybrooke, reports the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph.

The paper stated that the house will be one of the most eco-friendly in the country when complete.


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