Just got this...
West Sussex MPs Nick Herbert (Arundel & South Downs) and Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton) have raised new doubts about plans to build an eco-town at Ford in the light of proposals to weaken the area’s flood defences.
Last month, the Environment Agency launched a public consultation on plans to reduce the standard of flood defences to the immediate south and east of the eco-town site, saying that current measures are unaffordable.
With an increased risk of flooding on the greenfield site, earmarked for at least 5,000 new houses, the MPs believe that the Environment Agency report further undermines the financial viability of the whole scheme.
The report will come as yet another blow to the Ford Airfield Vision Group (FAVG) who published their final proposals for an eco-town at Ford, including a flood defence plan, back in August 2008.
The FAVG assumed that the flood defences to the south and east of the proposed eco-town would provide protection against at least a 1-in-200 year event. However, the Environment Agency is now proposing to abandon the 1-in-200 year level of protection, a move that will significantly increase the risk of flooding.
On the west bank of the River Arun between the A259 and the Ford railway bridge the protection will be reduced to a 1-in-66 year level, and at Climping there is to be no formal flood defence protection at all. The Environment Agency says it can no longer afford the high cost of maintaining the defences.
Nick Herbert commented: “It can’t make sense for a Government department to be proposing to build a new town on a floodplain while, at the same time, a Government agency is planning to pare back on the flood defences. The financial viability of this scheme was already in considerable doubt before this report was published, and will be even worse if there are now to be additional flood defence costs.
“The case for the eco-town continues to fall apart. The Government should drop Ford from the shortlist and allow Arun District Council to pursue its own plans for meeting the housing needs of local people in the district.”
Nick Gibb commented: “This is a classic case of bureaucratic confusion. One part of the Government is recommending abandoning a crucial part of the Sussex coastline, which we have to fight against. Another part of this Government is proposing to build 5,000 houses in the area that would be more liable to flooding as a result of abandoning the coastline. We have to fight that too. Perhaps Ministers and their quangos should talk to one another.”
The Government is expected to make an announcement on the final shortlist of potential eco-towns before Parliament rises for the summer recess on 21 July.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Eco-town-ology
The Homes and Communities Agency Academy publishes a lovely expensive looking proposal to establish what looks to me like a new academic discipline of Eco Town Studies. The proposal for an "Eco-towns learning capacity building programme" to "build skills amongst those professionals that are necessary for the sucessful development of eco-towns" looks like a lovely future career path for people currently working at the Homes and Communities Agency Academy.
http://showcase.hcaacademy.co.uk/files/general/eco-town-report.pdf
At a time when both main political parties are promising a 'bonfire of the Qangos', it seems extraordinary to me that one such unelected body should come out and stake a claim to forge yet more links, Qangos, study groups, stakeholder groups, learning agents, seminar programmes - and of course some lovely publically funded study trips to attractive European destinations. And all based on building stupid new towns on green fields.
And of course they will see themselves as the future - lumping us together as sceptics who are insufficiently committed to change!
http://showcase.hcaacademy.co.uk/files/general/eco-town-report.pdf
At a time when both main political parties are promising a 'bonfire of the Qangos', it seems extraordinary to me that one such unelected body should come out and stake a claim to forge yet more links, Qangos, study groups, stakeholder groups, learning agents, seminar programmes - and of course some lovely publically funded study trips to attractive European destinations. And all based on building stupid new towns on green fields.
And of course they will see themselves as the future - lumping us together as sceptics who are insufficiently committed to change!
Heading for a showdown
Grant Shapps telling the Commons that the whole programme should be scrapped, and that Developers are 'running scared'.
John Healey saying that he will make an announcement on the remainng sites before the Summer recess.
But what on earth does he mean when he says:
"The links that any developer or company may have with any of these eco-town proposals, with any political party are simply not a material consideration for the decision I take and won't be."
http://www.24dash.com/news/Housing/2009-07-07-Shapps-Developers-running-scared-from-eco-towns
John Healey saying that he will make an announcement on the remainng sites before the Summer recess.
But what on earth does he mean when he says:
"The links that any developer or company may have with any of these eco-town proposals, with any political party are simply not a material consideration for the decision I take and won't be."
http://www.24dash.com/news/Housing/2009-07-07-Shapps-Developers-running-scared-from-eco-towns
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Ford Eco-Town to be discussed
A public meeting will be held at 7pm on Monday July 6th at the St Philip Howard Catholic School, Elm Grove, Barnham. The Joint Downland Area Committee will also look at flooding, health issues and how the new National Park will affect the area. Be there if you care...
An ill wind blows no good
Question marks over their viability threaten to make eco-towns undeliverable. Ahead of a government announcement on their future next month, Chris Ames investigates. Click here...
Monday, 29 June 2009
Friday, 26 June 2009
Eco-town policy slip sparks court action
The government is being taken to court over the eco-towns policy in the South East Plan. Arun District Council has lodged a legal challenge to the policy, which states that councils should "facilitate" proposals agreed for growth points and eco-towns. It previously said they should merely "test" eco-town proposals,...
Subscriber content only - want to read on?
We'll have more on this later today...
Subscriber content only - want to read on?
We'll have more on this later today...
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Is this the first Eco Town Scheme Obituary?
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/whatever-happened-to-eco-towns/5204103.article
This is a fantastic article by Damian Arnold - the quotations from sources close to the DCLG simply echo what we have been saying all along.
Even the Chief Exec of the Town and Country Planning Association is now hoping for just 5 towns to be announced. But the article suggests (in what sounds like a preparatory leak of policy to me) that the Homes and Communities Agency will assume responsibility for the whole programme and then quietly substitute existing urban extensions for the greenfield sites on the current list.
Not quite time to pop the champagne, but is it worth popping a couple of bottles in the chiller to be ready?
This is a fantastic article by Damian Arnold - the quotations from sources close to the DCLG simply echo what we have been saying all along.
Even the Chief Exec of the Town and Country Planning Association is now hoping for just 5 towns to be announced. But the article suggests (in what sounds like a preparatory leak of policy to me) that the Homes and Communities Agency will assume responsibility for the whole programme and then quietly substitute existing urban extensions for the greenfield sites on the current list.
Not quite time to pop the champagne, but is it worth popping a couple of bottles in the chiller to be ready?
Friday, 19 June 2009
Monday, 15 June 2009
Can they just call this one an eco town and leave the rest of us alone?
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=424458
"In a debate on housing, South Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley urged the new housing minister, John Healey, to make the 9,500-home settlement "the first exemplary eco-town".If it secures that designation, it will qualify for extra funding, including cash to make homes more energy-efficient."
Maybe they can save some face by having one 'eco town' to their name - and quietly let us get on with our lives?
"In a debate on housing, South Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley urged the new housing minister, John Healey, to make the 9,500-home settlement "the first exemplary eco-town".If it secures that designation, it will qualify for extra funding, including cash to make homes more energy-efficient."
Maybe they can save some face by having one 'eco town' to their name - and quietly let us get on with our lives?
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Speak for yourself, mate!
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=6504927
Some Planning Lawyer claiming that even the protesters want an announcement on the eco towns soon; "He added that the desire for a prompt decision was a ‘practicality point’, even for those in opposition to the development."
Don't know what you think, but the way I see it, I'm quite happy for the Government to announce nothing until there's a general election and the country can decide on it for them.
‘Delays kill projects,’ he said. In this case, it'd be a mercy killing.
Some Planning Lawyer claiming that even the protesters want an announcement on the eco towns soon; "He added that the desire for a prompt decision was a ‘practicality point’, even for those in opposition to the development."
Don't know what you think, but the way I see it, I'm quite happy for the Government to announce nothing until there's a general election and the country can decide on it for them.
‘Delays kill projects,’ he said. In this case, it'd be a mercy killing.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Goodnight and thank you whoever...*
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=6504925
A quick update - Caroline Flint went (after nine months!), Margaret Beckett went (eight months!) - next it's some chap called John Healey as Housing Minister! Any bets on how long he will last...?
Oh, and his boss is another newbie - John Denham has been appointed communities and local government secretary to replace the - frankly weird - Hazel Blears!
* That tune from Evita where the revolving door sees off a succession of used and abused lovers seems an appropriate soundtrack for this tragedy
A quick update - Caroline Flint went (after nine months!), Margaret Beckett went (eight months!) - next it's some chap called John Healey as Housing Minister! Any bets on how long he will last...?
Oh, and his boss is another newbie - John Denham has been appointed communities and local government secretary to replace the - frankly weird - Hazel Blears!
* That tune from Evita where the revolving door sees off a succession of used and abused lovers seems an appropriate soundtrack for this tragedy
Wish us luck as you wave us goodbye...!
We wave goodbye to Ms Flint - http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/05/caroline-flint-window-dressing, the only member of the government to have taken the time to come on down to Sussex and have a a bit of a look at the villages these people want to concrete over!
And she heads towards the sunset accompanied by Margaret Beckett - the Beeb website says:
1550 Margaret Beckett is no longer housing minister, the BBC understands.
And she heads towards the sunset accompanied by Margaret Beckett - the Beeb website says:
1550 Margaret Beckett is no longer housing minister, the BBC understands.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Sign for change - or not?
Now here's an opportunity to dump Eco-Towns, Gordzilla and all those expenses diddlers.
Captain Cameron has launched a webpage - SIGN FOR CHANGE... It sez, 'We want everyone - whether they support Labour, the LibDems, or the Nationalists, or no party - to join in. Through the power of our collective pressure, we can force Gordon Brown to act'.
A far easier option would be to send Patsy round to give Gordo his P45!
Captain Cameron has launched a webpage - SIGN FOR CHANGE... It sez, 'We want everyone - whether they support Labour, the LibDems, or the Nationalists, or no party - to join in. Through the power of our collective pressure, we can force Gordon Brown to act'.
A far easier option would be to send Patsy round to give Gordo his P45!
Margaret Backett's latest press conference
From the Building News website....
Housing minister Margaret Beckett said today it was possible that no eco-towns will end up being built if the government decides not to take forward any proposals.
At a joint press conference this morning with Yvette Cooper, chief secretary of the Treasury, Beckett said that work on eco-towns was progressing, with an announcement expected by the summer.
She would not say how many she expected there to be, but said: “I will say this: that if no schemes meet the standards required then there will not be any names coming forward.
“But, I would be very disappointed, and somewhat surprised, if that was the case.”
She said they had deliberately slowed down the consultation due to the court challenge that was brought by opponents to the scheme, and that “much had been read into that”.
However, Beckett said: “I am sorry in one sense that there are some proposals that have already been judged to be unlikely to reach the standards that we expect.
“But it’s got to meet high environmental standards, and I don’t regret the process.”
The two ministers said they believed the gap between the economic policies of the two parties was “bigger now than at any point since before the Thatcher years”.
Beckett said the Homes and Communities Agency was in the process of deciding which regeneration schemes would receive funding from the £400m Kickstart Housing Delivery Programme announced in the Budget in April.
Bids will be accepted until 8 June, with the successful bidders announced in July.
More than 30,000 people have registered their interest in the government’s HomeBuy Direct scheme, which aims to help first-time buyers by giving them an equity loan of 30% of the purchase price, which is funded between the government and the developer.
Speaking ahead of this week’s European elections, the pair said the measures taken by Labour to kickstart stalled regeneration schemes, boost the economy and help stave off repossessions would help Britain come through the recession “sooner and stronger”.
Cooper accused the Conservative approach to the credit crunch as being “Thatcherism with a smoother sales pitch”.
Housing minister Margaret Beckett said today it was possible that no eco-towns will end up being built if the government decides not to take forward any proposals.
At a joint press conference this morning with Yvette Cooper, chief secretary of the Treasury, Beckett said that work on eco-towns was progressing, with an announcement expected by the summer.
She would not say how many she expected there to be, but said: “I will say this: that if no schemes meet the standards required then there will not be any names coming forward.
“But, I would be very disappointed, and somewhat surprised, if that was the case.”
She said they had deliberately slowed down the consultation due to the court challenge that was brought by opponents to the scheme, and that “much had been read into that”.
However, Beckett said: “I am sorry in one sense that there are some proposals that have already been judged to be unlikely to reach the standards that we expect.
“But it’s got to meet high environmental standards, and I don’t regret the process.”
The two ministers said they believed the gap between the economic policies of the two parties was “bigger now than at any point since before the Thatcher years”.
Beckett said the Homes and Communities Agency was in the process of deciding which regeneration schemes would receive funding from the £400m Kickstart Housing Delivery Programme announced in the Budget in April.
Bids will be accepted until 8 June, with the successful bidders announced in July.
More than 30,000 people have registered their interest in the government’s HomeBuy Direct scheme, which aims to help first-time buyers by giving them an equity loan of 30% of the purchase price, which is funded between the government and the developer.
Speaking ahead of this week’s European elections, the pair said the measures taken by Labour to kickstart stalled regeneration schemes, boost the economy and help stave off repossessions would help Britain come through the recession “sooner and stronger”.
Cooper accused the Conservative approach to the credit crunch as being “Thatcherism with a smoother sales pitch”.
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