Rackheath Eco-Community

Home

Latest News

20 October 2008: Eastern Daily Press

More backing for Rackheath Eco-Community

Rackheath Eco-Community proposed site layout

by Ed Foss

The possible 3,400-home Rackheath eco town is "deliverable, realistic and sensible" according to a world-leading carbon reduction expert.

Marcus Armes, from the UEA-based CRed carbon reduction campaign and part of the fledgling partnership behind the Rackheath development, told the EDP he was impressed with the plans put forward so far, especially in comparison to the separate and widely criticised eco town proposal for the former RAF Coltishall base at Scottow.

As reported last week, a team including Barratt Homes, regional property development company Building Partnerships and University of East Anglia-based experts has been put together to drive the project forward. Public consultation is about to start and a dedicated project website is up and running.

Mr Armes said: "It is an order of magnitude better than RAF Coltishall. "The numbers stack up, the number of units is much more sensible, especially at this early stage in the history of eco-towns.
"The proximity to Norwich and existing road and rail links is infinitely better.

" What we have heard so far about the kinds of technology they want to use, we would be very supportive of.

" I have seen some other eco town plans and the Rackheath one is by far and away the most sensible and deliverable. So yes, it is realistic."

Mr Armes said he understood that Henry Cleary, the government's lead official on eco towns, was "very excited" by the involvement of CRed and he also felt the Rackheath development could become a "model for others" in the future.

Meanwhile, the two MPs with Rackheath and Scottow in their constituencies have given the Rackheath plan a cautious welcome - with both saying it appears to make far more sense than Scottow for a host of reasons.

Keith Simpson, the Mid Norfolk MP for the Rackheath area, said: "What I need to do is push to make certain it really is environmentally friendly and also that the infrastructure which comes with it is up to scratch - and I am happy to hold the government's feet to the fire to ensure that.

"I am told the developers want to brief people as fully as possible and be as transparent as possible, which I welcome.

"I am sure they are aware of the cack-handed way in which the Coltishall situation was handled, or rather mis-handled."

Mr Simpson said he had not yet had anyone contact him with concerns about the Rackheath plan, but added: "That doesn't mean there will not be opposition."

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, who has the majority of the site in his constituency, said: "On the face of it, Rackheath appears to make much more sense than Coltishall, with the two key differences of proximity to the city and the existing rail link.

"But of course it must be subject to rigorous assessment, and local opinion must be taken into account."

Mr Lamb said he would however prefer to see environmental build on the very edge of cities, such as in the German city of Freiburg, to help bring down car use even further.