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Latest News 11 January 2010: Eastern Daily Press Norfolk eco town funding decision 'imminent' by Ed Foss
A decision on a multi-million pound bid to kick-start Norfolk's controversial eco-town is “imminent”, according to officials. Broadland Council asked the government for a £28.4m share of a £60m pot to help fund a 4,150 home eco-community at Rackheath, near Norwich - which could become the country's first eco-town. The scheme was one of four chosen by the government to be taken forward last year, which angered local residents who are concerned about over development, transport problems and how green the houses will actually be. A group called Stop Norwich Urbanisation (Snub) is actively opposing the scheme, including considering fielding a candidate to run as MP in the general election. It is likely that a funding decision will be made within the next week with a spokesman from the Communities and Local Government department, which looks after the start up money, confirming: “An announcement on the funding is imminent.” Built by Barratt Homes, but with the involvement of organisations such as the Low Carbon Innovation Centre at the University of East Anglia, Building Partnerships and LSI Architects, the development includes an “exemplar” phase to showcase how a larger town would be built. Simon Woodbridge, leader of Broadland Council, said: “Government funding would be a boost to our economy and towards creating something lasting and of great value today and for generations to come. There is great housing need, but there is also a great need to plan for the future so that we provide not only housing, but also communities for families to live healthy lifestyles in. Affordable housing is not just about affording the rent or the purchase price; we need to design out fuel poverty by creating energy efficient homes, reducing fuel bills and reducing carbon emissions to protect the environment.” The £28.4m includes more than £5.3m for the exemplar phase, £5.1m for bus service routes to employment centres and £1.3m for an eco community education centre. Paul Knowles, from Building Partnerships, a regional property development company, said: “We are looking forward to receiving confirmation from the government as to the amount of the eco town allocation that will be provided to Rackheath.” A planning application for the first 200 homes should be submitted by June, with work due to start on the “exemplar” phase, at the southern end of the development, in December. The first home owners could move in by spring next year and a planning application for outline permission for the whole site and associated infrastructure should be in by December. Information about the scheme and a funding breakdown is available online at www.broadland.gov.uk/future/ |
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