Yeovil to become a world leading "eco-town"? (From Yeovil Express)

Yeovil to become a world leading "eco-town"?

5:30pm Tuesday 1st December 2009 in News By Steve Sowden

SOUTH Somerset District Council is investigating the potential for a proposed 5,000-home "urban extension" to Yeovil to be brought forward as a world leading eco-town.

The Department of Communities and Local Government has confirmed that a proposed urban extension to Yeovil will be one of ten areas in the UK that will benefit from a £10-million pot that will support the design and development of tough eco-town standards.

Regional housing figures and policies identify the need for a 5,000-home urban extension to Yeovil meet the area's growing housing demand.

The council is currently in the consultation stage of where and how this extension will come forward.

The plans are in line with the authority’s high aspirations for reducing carbon emissions and there is already the expectation that the urban extension would be designed to the highest possible standards of sustainability.

Cllr Peter Seib, the council's economic development, planning and transport spokesman, said: "The opportunity to be part of an exemplar national project was therefore not to be missed.

"The funding that could be available will be used for feasibility studies and master planning in order to establish whether the urban extension could meet the highest sustainability standards ever required for new development, and of course to make sure that this is the right option for our community.”