Support for two more new "eco towns" - both greenfield sprawl settlements - has been announced by the Government along with a raft of new planning guidance.
DCLG has published changes for three planning policy statements with the stated aim of giving councils a "green planning rulebook" and ensuring carbon reduction is central to new development.
But it has added two new proposals to its list of second-wave "eco towns" - both greenfield sprawl.
Nine proposals were announced as possible second-wave eco towns in December, with a mixture of urban renewal and greenfield sprawl. Now added to the list is East Devon District Council's proposed sprawl settlement at Cranbrook, which it hopes will see 3,500 greenfield homes by 2016 and a further 4,000 thereafter, and Fareham Borough Council's 7,000 home sprawl settlement north of Fareham. The two councils will each receive £200,000 for further design work.
"Overhauled planning policies will act as a new green planning rulebook and the £10m for councils will provide training to help deliver action on the ground," said planning minister John Healey.
The £10m will support development of the second wave which includes sprawl settlements or greenfield urban extensions at Northstowe, Yeovil, Taunton, Lincoln and Gainsborough but will also support some innovative brownfield schemes in West Yorkshire, the Dearne Valley and Shoreham.
The planning policy changes are:-
- a consultation on a proposed supplement to PPS1 combining and updating policy on climate change (the PPS1 supplement) and renewable energy (PPS22) and providing an overarching framework for PPS25;
- a consultation on a proposed PPS on planning for a nautrual and healthy environment bringing together elements of PPS9, PPS7, PPG20 and PPG17 and relating to changes to strategic provision of green infrastructure and floodlighting;
- a new supplement to PPS25 setting out a planning framework for economic and social viability in coastal communities.
Campaign to Protect Rural England head of planning Fiona Howie described the proposals to improve health, quality of life and countryside protection as encouraging but reminded the Government that good planning needs to address other measures than just carbon emissions.
