Continuing with Devon, a new community in Cranbrook has proposed the idea of a prototype ‘Eco-town’. The local authority is aiming for a high standard of sustainability and renewable energy usage on a green-field site with its own railway station. Affordability is intended to be a cornerstone of the project – 40% of Cranbrook’s first 2,900 homes should be Affordable Housing, and the New Community Partnership now believe they can exceed the ambitious target of 16.4% renewable energy set by the Council in 2006. Planning Officers have said they want Cranbrook to be as green as possible whilst taking a realistic attitude about what current existing technology can deliver. More about Cranbook’s plans can be found here.

And just recently in July this year, 4 more towns have made plans to turn into eco ones. They are Rackheath, Norfolk; north-west Bicester, Oxfordshire; Whitehill Bordon, East Hants; and the China Clay Community near St Austell, Cornwall. The BBC article about this recent development can be found here.