Usually quite a thorny bunch of lefty enviro-skeptics from what I gather (and why no comments turned on eh?) but this piece actually makes sense. My own personal view is that there should be a loosening of planning laws - starting with self-builders (NOT developers), followed by allowing 'eco' houses to be built on farmland and in woodland - and then we can look at greenbelts.
eco-towns

Gordon Brown's Great Eco-Towns Con | spiked
(via www.spiked-online.com)
Submitted by nommo on Tue, 2008-04-08 11:09. | Tags: architecture | eco-towns | green belts | urban planning
Eco Towns - Are we moving quickly enough?
(via www.griinucompare.co.uk)
The first barrier to jump is of course "eco". Firstly, what is "eco"? Secondly, how can this standard be achieved? Then you've got to ask the question - would the homes be built anyway - eco or not? Then you have to consider why the homes are being built. Finally, you come to the question why are they branded as "eco".
Submitted by thegreenginger on Sat, 2008-04-05 11:10. | Tags: politics | eco towns | eco-towns | green agenda | Politics | sustainability