Refurbishing around 25m homes to achieve an 80% cut in their carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 can be done, but the significant market failure in delivery will have to be addressed by fiscal and regulatory measures from Government, concludes the UK Green Building Council’s Low Carbon Existing Homes report.

Protesters, unhappy at proposals for a 6,000 home eco town development at Middle Quinton, near Stratford-upon-Avon, are consulting lawyers ahead of possible Judicial Review proceedings over what it says has been an inadequate consultation by DCLG in drawing up the shortlist of 15 possible eco town schemes.

Anne McIntosh, Conservative MP for Vale of York, stressed her concerns to date over the plans to date for eco towns in an adjournment debate held on 3 June, arguing that “the democratic process has been completely flouted.”

English Partnerships, Linden Homes and Downland Housing Association have submitted outline plans for redevelopment of the Graylingwell site to Chichester District Council.  

DEFRA has completed the sale of its 5ha former site at Epsom Road in Guildford to Linden Homes for building of 200 homes.

The Liberal Democrats, in a conference totally marginalised by the unfolding collapse of major financial institutions, have backed eco-towns, but under strict conditions.

Communities housing minister Caroline Flint has unveiled a package of new development rules which will reduce regulation for home improvements.

Energy-efficient homes “could be a vital driver to keeping the property market moving, with ‘carbon appeal’ set to replace ‘kerb appeal’ when it comes to swaying buyers”, according to new research carried out by the Energy Saving Trust.

The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, told the TUC Congress meeting in Brighton on 9 September that millions of homes will benefit, and thousands of jobs to be created, from Britain becoming a “more energy-efficient society.”