News Archive News Archive > Green light for Rackheath The proposed Rackheath Eco-Community has been given the go ahead by the government. The site, near Norwich, is one of four in the country earmarked by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for development as an Eco-town within the next 10 years. Rackheath was named along with sites in Whitehill Bordon, East Hampshire, Bicester in Oxfordshire and the China Clay Community scheme near St Austell, Cornwall. All the succesful bids will now go through the planning process, expected to begin next year. Paul Knowles of Norwich-based Building Partnerships, promoters of the Rackheath scheme, said: “We look forward to developing Rackheath over the next 10-15 years into a truly sustainable community which acts as an exemplar for future green developments not only in the UK but abroad. “The government has recognised Rackheath as its preferred location for creating an Eco-town, which is a real accolade. We plan to build something the people of Norwich and Norfolk can rightly be proud of.” Housing minister John Healey said the four chosen locations would pioneer innovative design and infrastructure for greener living: "We are leading the way on the world stage with these developments. By radically rethinking how we design, plan and build our homes we can create zero carbon developments, which combine affordable housing with new green infrastructures and a higher quality of life. “We said we wanted to see up to ten Eco-towns by 2020. Despite the recession I am giving the green light today (16 July) to the first four pioneering proposals and making the offer to work with and help fund six more. The standards are high but I am confident of wider interest from developers and councils.”     home | team | projects | what we do | news | contact | site by CG Design Printer Friendly Version PRINT PAGE   © 2009 Building Partnerships Ltd, Queen's House, Queen's Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3PL. Tel: 01603 664665. Fax: 01603 664668.