South Worcestershire Greens back 'eco-settlements' as the way forward

call for radical rethink on transport and development

 

 

Members of the Green Party from Malvern Hills, Wychavon and Worcester have been considering the recently published consultation document on the Joint Core Strategy which is in preparation as the plan for development in South Worcestershire over the period to 2026.  The Government’s statistics – of which the South Worcestershire Plan must take account – indicate that the sub-region will need to provide somewhere between 14,000 and 32,800 new homes over the next twenty years.  But as there is insufficient existing previously built-on (brown-field) sites to accommodate this level of development, it inevitably means that some building will have to take place on green-field sites.

One of the options suggested in the consultation document is that 'growth should be concentrated in a new settlement, possibly in the form of an eco-town'.  And South Worcestershire’s Greens are backing this approach in preference to the other options which imply more piecemeal expansion through the creation of large housing developments around the fringes of Worcester and other existing towns.

In fact the Greens are in favour of two or three medium-sized eco-settlements (rather than one larger one) for the area, each strategically sited well beyond the boundaries of Worcester, perhaps to the east, south west, and/or north of the City, but connected to it (and thus to other regional and national centres) by modern light-railway systems offering high frequency services and a more attractive alternative to journeying by car. 

 

Says Worcestershire Green Party spokesman, Chris Lennard: "We must not miss the opportunity that this long-term plan for South Worcestershire represents to rethink radically our approach to transport and development.  With climate change needing to be at the top of the policy agenda now, we simply cannot carry on permitting the kinds of city fringe and piecemeal development that encourages car dependence. 

 

"The concept of eco-settlements represents a fresh approach in which communities would be much more self-sufficient, promoting local renewable energy, with people living in close conjunction with as full a range as possible of job opportunities and services (shops, leisure and entertainment), and, crucially, all accessible on foot or by bicycle. 

 

"We suggest two or three medium-sized eco-settlements, rather than just one large one, because we give high priority to ensuring a human scale and form to development and to facilitating the development of strong community identities.  The rail connections to Worcester and beyond would be important in reflecting contemporary needs and expectations to travel farther afield, but again, we want this to be done in more sustainable ways."

 

 

Printed, published and promoted by Chris Lennard for Worcestershire Green Party, both at 53 Gloucester Close, Malvern, Worcs WR14 1DG