FORD ECO-TOWN: 'We'll only take best bids' says government

The panel of leading figures from design, the environment, transport and sustainability was selected by government housing minister Caroline Flint to provide advice and support to those seeking to build eco-towns in the 15 shortlisted locations, which include Ford.

The challenge panel met the Ford Airfield Vision Group and the Ford Enterprise Hub, which are promoting the site, for the first time on Tuesday.

Ms Flint said: "Only the best bids with the highest environmental standards stand a chance of being selected as an eco-town. The panel will have a vital role in encouraging and inspiring developers to aim as high as possible.

"There are no done deals and I expect bidders to raise their game by taking on board the expert advice available to them, to make the most of this unique opportunity to deliver the affordable, greener home our first-time buyers and young families desperately need."

The panel will address issues such as ensuring house designs are sensitive to their surroundings, using a site's natural resources efficiently, creating a vibrant and healthy community for all ages with the emphasis on journeys on foot, cycle and public transport, making best use of new technologies and creating jobs.

The panel will publish recommendations to each bidder in the coming months about improving their eco-town proposal.

Up to ten of the towns will be built by 2020. Ms Flint announced the 15-strong shortlist last month.

The towns will be zero-carbon sustainable developments of between 5,000-20,000 homes which tackle a shortage of housing and climate change. Affordable housing, sustainable development, delivering key services such as public transport, schools and health facilities and safeguarding local wildlife will be essential.

The eco-town challenge panel members are: John Walker (chairman) '“ former chief executive, Bognor Urban Regeneration Association; Dr Liz Goodwin '“ chief executive, Waste and Resource Action Programme; Stephen Hale '“ Green Alliance director; Sir Peter Hall, Town and County Planning Association president; designer Wayne Hemingway; Stephen Joseph, executive director, Campaign for Better Transport; Nick Mabey, E3G chief executive; sustainable transport expert Kris Murrin; Royal Institute of British Architects president Sunand Prasad; Liz Reason, director, Reasons to be Cheerful consultancy; Sue Riddlestone, BioRegional Development Group director; Joanna Yarrow, founder of Beyond Green sustainability company; architecture expert Richard Simmons; and Lynda Addison, Addison and Associates managing director.

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