New standards for green homes announced

Housing minister Caroline Flint has set out rigorous new standards to ensure eco-towns maintain a high level of environmental commitment.

Among the rules for developers is allocating 40 per cent of land within the community for green space and locating homes within ten minutes walk of services.

The tough measures have been welcomed by senior figures from the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPS), who branded them "challenging but achievable".

Graham Nickson, TCPA policy and projects manager, said: "These standards will guide the further masterplanning of eco-towns and can be used by planners and developers to achieve the level of ambition everybody wishes to see coming from this initiative."

Countryside campaigners CPRE also welcomed Ms Flint's announcement, insisting it showed "the government is starting to listen to people's concerns".

Self build is another option for people who are keen to live in an energy efficient home without waiting for eco-town construction to start.