Natural England

5 November 2008

Responding to today's announcement from the Department of Communities and Local Government on its proposed Planning Policy Statement for eco-towns, Natural England has called for a planning policy that transforms the way in which all urban spaces make use of the natural environment.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said “Green spaces often have been sidelined in urban development in the past and we live with the legacy this has created. The 40% green space standard is a welcome step in the right direction and has the potential to make eco-towns genuine standard bearers of how urban environments can be planned."

But to achieve this potential Natural England has called for more focus on how the green space standards measure up in terms of how they support biodiversity, deliver high quality landscapes and help with adaptation to climate change. Natural England emphasised that CLG has to ensure that these elements are properly addressed in the ways in which eco-towns are planned.

Natural England also emphasised that the value of high quality green spaces should not be confined to eco-towns. To achieve their potential, it is essential that the proposed green space and sustainability standards for eco-towns are rolled out into future urban planning policy.