Planning an Eco Town in the UK

Setting new high standards for residential-led development in the UK, AECOM is close to completing its first major phase of masterplanning work on the proposed eco town called Whitehill Bordon in southern England. One of the first four eco towns in the UK, the extensive plans are for an area of around 340 hectares (840 acres) to create some 4,000 homes, 5,500 jobs, a new town centre, three schools, two public squares and an open-space network for sports and recreation.

Mid November saw the staging of a three-day series of consultation events in the town where hundreds of local people responded to the ideas and plans for the new scheme. Along with giving presentations and explaining plans, AECOM's urban designers and planners met with local residents in favour of the scheme as well as those opposed to it to discuss their hopes and concerns.

The British government announced the formal go-ahead for a quartet of eco towns in the summer with the brief that they should stand as exemplars of environmental, economic and social sustainability. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, "Eco towns will help to relieve the shortage of affordable homes to rent and to buy, and they will minimise the effects of climate change. They will provide modern homes with lower energy bills, energy-efficient offices and brand new schools, community centres and services."

The Whitehill Bordon scheme has arisen from the relocation of the local Ministry of Defence Army garrison—home to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers—which has released a parcel of land adjacent to the existing town. Taking a regeneration approach, AECOM's vision for the development is to ensure it is closely integrated with the garrison town, that it reflects the patterns and scale of local development and that it encourages an expansion of the local skills and new economic roles.

"We are proud that Whitehill Bordon is leading the country in tackling climate change with this carbon-busting community," said Daphne Gardner, deputy chief executive of the client, the East Hampshire District Council.

Work is now underway to prepare the masterplan for its journey through the planning process next year.

Fay Sweet