What do they think they are playing at now?
Did you know that a new Government Eco Town with up to 20000 new houses could be coming our way?
If this happens it will be called Darringfield and yes it will be at the east side of Darrington running all the way up to the M62 Roundabout on the edge of Knottingley and over into Selby and Osgoldcross district.
It sounds more like a name for a soap opera and because Eco Towns are her scheme our MP, the Minister for Housing could be one of the main characters making the decision. There are three other proposed Yorkshire Eco Towns, at Eggborough, Micklefield and Rossington.
Darringfield would more than double the size of Pontefract but would be a town in its own right. All this at a time when we are already at risk of loosing our Police Stations in Pontefract and Castleford, Knottingley’s has already closed, our roads are in chaos, many other services are close to breaking point, we keep getting told that resources are limited and the already deficient PGI will be scarcely sufficient for our existing communities.
What is more whilst North Yorkshire and Selby District Councillors have been briefed and are telling their people about this situation, we have heard nothing from our MP or the ruling Labour group at Wakefield. Apparently Government will decide in the next few weeks and the chosen locations will be announced by the Minister in the spring with planning controlled by her Department.
When were we supposed to hear about it, why the silence and when do we get a say?
Showing posts with label Housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Housing. Show all posts
Monday, 21 January 2008
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Future Homes mk2 Plot Thickens
Weeeell in my previous post I mentioned the Housing Minister's plan for 300,000 new houses in Yorkshire and the Humber and I got a clue where as many as 60,000 of them could be. Four of her new Eco Towns are actively being looked at as possibilities on the A1 M62 corridor. I will know more in the next few days.
At first glance this sounds a worthwhile eco friendly approach but the planning controls will be imposed by central government and the result is a command economy similar to a Russian Tractor Factory. The thing that winds me up here is that Our MP who is also Planning Minister looks like she is about to sacrifice her constituents for the good of her ministerial career and for Gordon's masterplan.
At first glance this sounds a worthwhile eco friendly approach but the planning controls will be imposed by central government and the result is a command economy similar to a Russian Tractor Factory. The thing that winds me up here is that Our MP who is also Planning Minister looks like she is about to sacrifice her constituents for the good of her ministerial career and for Gordon's masterplan.
Thursday, 17 January 2008
Future Homes
Back in the old year I was called upon to attend a briefing about the Housing Ministers plans for addressing the growing housing shortage.
Conclusions and key messages.
Government are setting a hugely challenging Agenda, at this point the new objectives are high on aspiration and as yet thin on delivery mechanisms.
Plans include:
3 million more homes – backed by more ambitious building targets, increased investment, and new ways of identifying and using land for development.
More social housing – ensuring that a decent home at an affordable price is for available for the growing group of people who otherwise will be disadvantaged.
Building homes more quickly – by unblocking the planning system and releasing land for development. Including releasing greenbelt and building on flood plains.
More affordable homes – by increasing the options for low cost home ownership and more long term and affordable mortgage products
Greener homes with high environmental standards via flagship developments leading the way, the Minister talked of eco Towns as part of that way forward.
Including 100% zero Carbon new build homes by 2016
Talking with delegates there seemed to be a belief that the main issue with such challenging targets, seems to revolve around funding infrastructure.
There was further concern about the lack of information available about initiatives to improve existing housing stock.
As part of her presentation, the Minister talked of a need for 300,000 new homes in Yorkshire and the Humber, so we clearly need to stay closely tuned to developments in our back garden.
Well whoever is taking responsibility for government in years to come this will be one issue that effects a huge slice of our population. Things do need to be done and they need doing right!
Conclusions and key messages.
Government are setting a hugely challenging Agenda, at this point the new objectives are high on aspiration and as yet thin on delivery mechanisms.
Plans include:
3 million more homes – backed by more ambitious building targets, increased investment, and new ways of identifying and using land for development.
More social housing – ensuring that a decent home at an affordable price is for available for the growing group of people who otherwise will be disadvantaged.
Building homes more quickly – by unblocking the planning system and releasing land for development. Including releasing greenbelt and building on flood plains.
More affordable homes – by increasing the options for low cost home ownership and more long term and affordable mortgage products
Greener homes with high environmental standards via flagship developments leading the way, the Minister talked of eco Towns as part of that way forward.
Including 100% zero Carbon new build homes by 2016
Talking with delegates there seemed to be a belief that the main issue with such challenging targets, seems to revolve around funding infrastructure.
There was further concern about the lack of information available about initiatives to improve existing housing stock.
As part of her presentation, the Minister talked of a need for 300,000 new homes in Yorkshire and the Humber, so we clearly need to stay closely tuned to developments in our back garden.
Well whoever is taking responsibility for government in years to come this will be one issue that effects a huge slice of our population. Things do need to be done and they need doing right!
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