4
Apr
Empty home renovation 'better idea than eco-towns'
Existing properties should be renovated instead of the creation of
new eco-towns, according to the Federation of Master Builders
(FMB).
The organisation stated that the government should be ploughing its
resources into the redevelopment of these empty properties rather
than building entirely new built-up areas.
Such empty dwellings could be fitted with green technology so that
there is an environmental angle here as well, the FMB noted.
Director of external affairs at the federation Brian Berry noted
that demand is spread across Britain rather than being saturated in
one area.
He commented: "Given that demand for housing covers the whole of
the UK it makes sense for every village and town to have new
housing rather creating brand new settlements."
Mr Berry added that a "patchwork" of smaller projects could well be
the alternative to the proposals.
This week the housing minister Caroline Flint revealed a shortlist
of the government's eco-towns, including those at Coltishall,
Norfolk and Ford, West Sussex.