A local strategy on all new "eco-habitations"

3.44.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 19th Apr 2008

Rutland Liberal Democrat Councillor Marc Oxley has declared his opposition to "Pennbury" believing it to be unsustainable and has agreed with Professor John Twidell that there should be a locally declared "eco" strategy on all new housing, not just so called "eco towns".

Prof Twidell's suggestions for future "eco-habitations" are as follows -

1. All buildings passive solar, well insulated and not needing regular heating.

2. Generating 100% of their own energy.

3. Using local water, especially rain water and grey water, for its water supplies.

4. Growing about 50% of its own food (thus many allotments).

5. Having a minimum carbon footprint, so for instance using grass roofs and having an associated forest somewhere else.

6. Having local vehicles and travel systems that are energised from the locality (e.g. walk, cycle, electric vehicles)

7. Networked to national travel, certainly by immediate rail.

8. Having local regulations banning gross unsustainability (e.g. 4x4s, excessive plastic, unsustained hardwood)

Ideally building materials could be sourced locally if possible as was the case for hundreds of years in the past. Also there could be an element of self-build.