Austin Macauley 05 September 2014

Housing minister snubs award-winning garden cities vision

Award-winning proposals to double the size of existing towns and cities in England have been rejected by housing minister Brandon Lewis.

He said David Rudlin’s idea to give 40 towns – including Northampton and Oxford – the chance to bid for garden city status ‘will not be taken up’.

He said the Government would pursue its policy of building new towns from scratch rather than follow Mr Rudlin’s suggestion of expanding existing towns to protect the green belt.

The urban designer’s proposals won this year’s prestigious Wolfson Economics Prize.

‘We stand ready to work with communities across the country who have ideas for a new generation of garden cities and we have offered support to areas with locally-supported plans that come forward,’ said Lewis.

‘But we do not intend to follow the failed example of top-down eco-towns from the last administration. Picking housing numbers out of thin air and imposing them on local communities builds nothing but resentment. This government has abolished regional quangos’ role in planning – instead, we have empowered elected local councils to determine where new homes should and shouldn’t go.

‘And already we’re working with local councils and residents to develop the first garden city at Ebbsfleet, which will deliver up to 15,000 new homes, and published a prospectus offering support to communities with locally-supported plans for a garden city in their area.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Help Family Practitioner - 12 month FTC

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£39150.00 - £42861.00 per annum
Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward.Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward. As England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Swansea Council
£73,908 - £85,884
As Head of HR and OD Swansea (Abertawe)
Recuriter: Swansea Council

Early Help Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 6, £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
Durham County Council are on a continuous improvement journey in relation to its Early Help service. We are one of 75 Local Authorities who are part o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Legal Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 p.a. (Grade 5)
A vacancy has arisen within Business Services for a full time, permanent Legal Clerical Assistant to provide legal clerical support to solicitors and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Practice Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 13 - £47,181 - £51,356
Do you love supporting practitioners to bring their best selves to their work? We are looking for a Practice Coordinator to support our Social Worker Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner