Create balanced ‘eco-villages’ not eco-towns, says the CLA

The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) says the Government should not be proposing eco-towns but providing for sustainable development in existing villages.

The rural economy experts are calling for the Government to use new housing as a way of improving the sustainability of existing rural communities.

 

The CLA wants a better mix of housing, jobs and services to secure the future of sustainable rural communities.

 

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "It is true that eco-towns may create opportunities for land managers, such as the production of fuels for environmental technologies, but our existing rural villages are needed just as much."

 

The proposed eco-towns would be built across England with the aim of using at least one area of environmental technology. They will include local schools and amenities and will have their own delivery organisations to manage the towns and their development.

 

The CLA President added: "The popular interpretation of sustainability concerns energy and the environment but, important as these are, sustainable communities are about people and jobs.

 

"Sustainability only happens when communities are in balance, demographically, economically and environmentally, and that is a tougher challenge especially for existing rural villages".

 

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

 

Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, CLA (Country Land and Business Association), 020 7460 7936, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

 

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 

1. The CLA – the rural economy experts - has a 38,000-strong membership. 

 

2. For more information about the CLA, visit: www.cla.org.uk