Have we not seen "New Towns" before:- Hemel, Cumbernauld etc.

Dave Madley, Alicante, Spain

Global warming ? Eco towns ?
Utter tosh !
The planet heats up and cools down in cycles.
The Romans wrote about growing wine grapes in Britain in the first century and then it got too cold during the Dark Ages. Ancient tax records show that Britons grew their own wine grapes in the 11th century, during the Medieval Warming, and then it got too cold during the Little Ice Age. Wine grapes are among the most accurate and sensitive indicators of temperature and they are telling us about a cycle. They also indicate that today's global warming is not unprecedented.

The worst cold spells in Britain occurred between 1550 and 1750. The climate during this time was known as the Little Ice Age, when winters were so cold that the Thames froze over each year. It was not uncommon for the freeze to last over three months, as in the case of the winters of 1683 - 1684 and 1715 - 1716.

Now it is time to warm up and the government wants to tax it.

IDIOTS !

David, London,

In an era when nearly everyone was becoming environmentally conscious, Blair appeared to have no interest in the subject other than to posture at global conferences. It was a measure of his unique emptiness and insincerity that Britain simply trod water for 10 years.

I welcome Brown's initiative but it should not be simply handed over to a single firm of architects but be an open competition with the leading designs being built as examples of best practice.

Bob T, London, UK

New leader, same old labour, same old expensive and ineffective gimmicks.

What a surprise.

Jon Leigh, Southern, France

Gordon will make a beautiful chancellor and i'll be voting for him!

Fabian R., Lambeth North,

Marc from France will be aware that although the Kyoto deal was signed by President Clinton, a president's signature on a treaty means nothing as it must be ratified by the Senate. The Senate killed Kyoto by a vote of 98-0. In any event that doesn't change the fact that it isn't a Prime Minister's job to build houses and even if it were the "eco town" nonsesne is, well, look - ya got bigger fish to fry here.....

Jim, Milwaukee, USA

Great idea ! Perfect site for all five is Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath - ideal spot !

David, Swindon, Wilstshire

I spent a year promoting the new town at Oakington, as CEO of Cambridge New Town Corporation plc. We sort to build a radically different community with balance built in, as well as more eco-friendly features than are proposed by the current developers

Intergrated leisure, retail, health, 70% of all journeys by foot, Very low water use, brown and grey water recycling, ....

Over the last five years, the planners, developers and politicians have conspired to down grade it to a 'dump estate' of detached and semi-detached 'traditional' housing, with few amenities impossibly expensive guided bus system, and five+ years of prevarication.

Peter Dawe, Cambridge, UK

Mr Brown spins Labour’s house building programme as green, yet house building in the green belt represents an environmental disaster. The only genuine “eco-home” is a home that is not built. The Oakington development will raise carbon emissions through increased commuting into Cambridge, whether the housing is zero carbon or not. Mr Brown evidently believes that supplying new homes with “green” electricity derived from wind turbines is environmentally desirable. Yet over 1700 turbines have failed to reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation, while costing consumers three million pounds per day. I am tempted to suggest that the most useful purpose for a wind turbine would be to serve as an icon for New Labour. The red rose has received a battering in the recent elections, and is clearly in need of replacement. There could surely be no better icon for New Labour than a wind turbine – a giant and costly machine that spins, but serves little useful purpose.

Will, Stirling, UK

Surely all new builds should now be built this way, not just a few large developments.

Denise, Cambridge,

OK,let's do it. But use better buiding methods than traditional 'brick and breeze'. Eg with timber / metal frames, infill and cladding, you can build for a fraction of the conventional material cost and at a shorter build time - and reduce the energy cost of construction. You can also have some variation in style , and afford some attractive urban landscapes. Look at house construction in eg Australia or USA.
Trouble is, Gordon, you'll have to defeat the existing supply side of the house-buiding equation, or you'll end up with the usual - dull, tiny boxes costing twice as much as they need, simply with eco add-ons. Get Ms Cooper on this aspect of the case, preferably with some good architects !

David Banfield, Marlborough, UK

Now, let me see. Would I prefer a leader who promised 5 ecologically sound towns or one who has done his very best to damage the Kyoto protocol and has still not signed it? No contest.! We do not know what Brown is going to be like, as Prime Minister of Great Britain, but we do know what we don't want. I wish Mr Brown the very best of luck, he cerainly has an uphill struggle but at least the British can rest secure in the knowledge that they can always take incredibly cheap holidays in America, thanks to the bungling of the present regime in the States.

How can I put this more simply? The British do not need the Americans to knock them, especially when Blair has had to leave under a dark cloud, mainly because he was stupid enough to support Bush's megalomaniac stance in Iraq.

Marc, St. Barths, France

Dear Luke. "Where will the asylum seekers currently housed in Oakington barracks go"?

They would go in the new housing?! Don't you get it?

Who does want to live in Oakington besides them and the corrent residents? None!

The problem is in London, not in Oakington or Cambridge.

I'll give you one word: DERREGULATION.

That's the ONLY way to resolve the housing problem in England now and in the foresiable futuro. But them, you break the monopoly...

Fabio C, London,

I note that, at the time of writing at least, none of the critics of new towns actually lives in one. I'm not enthusiastic about building over the countryside, but most people agree we need more houses, to reduce the price pressure on the existing stock, and I feel it's better to build them in the form of new towns than try and squeeze them in here and there, often inappropriately, in existing towns and villages. Note the accompanying report about the eco-friendly development proposed for the Gulf - it's to be compact enough for people not to need cars. I hope Gordon Brown's towns will be similar in that respect.

Barry, Wallington, UK

Five "eco towns"? Wow, there will be the mark of a great Prime Minister. NOT. It's laughable that a small-bore item like this would even make it onto a campaign platform. What about Brown promising to get rid of all of his stealth taxes for you? I'd be looking for that, not this "eco town" nonsense. Boy, you Brits are gonna be in for a bumpy ride with Gordon!

JIm, Milwaukee, USA

"so why is there still a housing shortage? "

Over here? BTL landlords. Every road here has several empty houses that are to let TO STUDENTS (big signs outside). But there are too many student houses, so they stay empty, because the landlord won't let them out to families (or sell them to families).

starling, Lancaster,

will these eco towns be built on BROWN FIELD LAND ? i think we should be told

nt, london,

How much is this going to cost and who is going to pay for it? - On second thoughts I think I hear a new tax being born.

philip, Ipswich,

So why do we need 5 new towns, 100,000 extra houses, eco-friendly or not?

For years now we've been building more than enough new homes to meet the needs of the established population, so why is there still a housing shortage?

I suppose we all know the answer to these questions, and know that it's nothing to do with the aspirations of our own young people, those born in this country, but with the large numbers who are being allowed and encouraged to come here from abroad - but who don't bring their homes with them!

Denis Cooper, Maidenhead, England

Mr brown has the makings of an extremely fine Prime Minister all he needs is a chance. Give him that and judge him a year from now.
Bear in mind he may have been in the government for ten years but Mr Blair was the boss and had the final say.
The number two even in business cannot go over the CE head.

Alexandra Banderas, Pensicola , Florida

If he's serious about this then these developments must be for genuine buyers and not speculators and BTL. He could start addressing the situation by taxing the BTL as it is mainly them that have driven up demand pricing out the majority of first time buyers.

Tim walton, Leeds, England

Hello everyone,
There are three things that concern me regarding Mr. Brown. The first is that he was dubbed 'authentic' by Bill Clinton. The second is that he he is spewing 'green' projects which would cost a great deal of money, and usually means an increase in costs (read tax), carefully hidden under the guise of some meaningful project that makes people feel guilty if they don't support it. Of course, his 'eco towns' must be worthwhile because of Prince Charles's 'green' escapades...which quite frankly are absolutely ridiculous for a man whom I used to regard with great admiration.
The third concern is for people who may be duped into thinking Mr. Brown a leader...he's not...he's a politician; there's a huge difference.

CONNELL O'DONNELL, MILES CITY , USA/MT

How about more inner city regeneration? Huge swathes of East London and many northern towns still look like a bad day out in Baghdad. City centres already have good transport links, someone just needs to deal with the muggers.

Where will the asylum seekers currently housed in Oakington barracks go? It would be better if they didn't make it that far, but they do and a centre is the best place to hold them until they can be deported.

Luke , London, UK

Would it not have a much greater affect to make our existing cities greener and more carbon efficient rather than attempting (rather obviously) to cancel it out?

Emily P, Nottingham,

Of course, NIMBYs would prefer the government to round up all the youth in our society and force them to live in pokey appartment blocks for the rest of their lives, working every hour god sends.

Why on earth anyone under 30 stays in this country is beyond me.

Peter, London,

We've heard the same sound bites 10 years ago. Different face, same spin.

P. Stewart, Kent, UK

the mans deluded! building new houses at the top of the market .sounds like the gold fiasco again.Is this realy his best shot?

mitch, wolverhampton, england

“If we are to meet the aspirations of every young couple to do the best for themselves and their children...'

No room for singles or wrinklies in a Broon Toon, then, despite the fact that more and more people are choosing to live alone. Only young couples with children need apply.

Ray B, Stockport, England

See the bigger picture. Everyone moans about the housing crisis and the environment. This could kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Ben, York,

Brown is a Scot, and they should be built in his country. England is grossly overpopulated, Scotland is sparesely populated in comparison. New industries could be set up to provide population for those attracted to these cities, thus easing the pressure on English housing needs. If illegal immigrants are to be given an amnesty, it should also be on condition that they live in Scotland. There's loads of room for them there, unlike in England.

Trofim, Birmingham, UK

Traditionally built houses which can stand for a hundred years or more are what we should be building. Untried untested and usually unserviceable so called green eco friendly dwellings dont work and cost more in real terms and carbon footprint. Giving grants to hippies aint a solution. New towns never worked in the past. Livingstone, Harlow. Mr Brown, save yourself the money and just curb the amount of immigration into the country, problem solved. "Carbon rating", as a sound bite, like "organic" will become associated by the majority as meaning, more expensive, doesnt work, not as good. Expecting the masses to store waste water is like waiting for another plague.

kenny, hove,

So New Labour's trick of "re-announcing old announcements" continues unabated.

Yvette Cooper launched the "eco-town" programme on 7 March, when she said they would be small, new settlements of up to 10,000 zero or low carbon homes, linked to larger towns or cities; exemplar ‘green’ developments, meeting the highest sustainability standards, built on brownfield and surplus public sector land, “big enough to support significant employment, a strong town centre and good public services”.

She concluded, “We will be making a further announcement later in the year about t...how we can further encourage new thinking on highest quality in services, design, transport and environmental sustainability and...an innovative approach to large scale zero carbon development”.


Those with long memories will recall that Gordon Brown also reannounced a programme to expand home ownership (Home Buy) in May 2005, having first announced it in April that year; that one is still struggling.

Vivien Aldred, Norwich, UK

I like the fact he chooses Oakington Barracks in Cambridgeshire, a handy commute for the City of London, what about regions of the North East /West or the hugely "brownfield" former derelict coalfields of the Midlands... oops I forgot the Government are already spending millions remediating those then selling them to speculative private developers. House builders must be rubbing their hands together with glee at this one, tax breaks, easy planning, central Govt subsidy etc etc etc !!!

James Alexander, Moulton, Northamptonshire

I can't agree that Gordon Brown is a cert for number 10. Tom Bower's updated biography should give many pause for thought. The EU plans to require our empty £1trillion public sector pension fund to be included in our National Debt figure will come too late though.

Brian Gilbert, HAMPTON, Middx

The technology does exist to create "Carbon Neutral" housing and very "eco-friendly" homes - the problem is in the cost. Having spent the best part of 12 months in 2005/06 costing a major eco project in Leicester the scheme was finally abandoned earlier this year because the construction costs were some 25% higher than conventinal build. It might sound like a good idea but with housing costs at an all time high who will be able to afford the 25% premium for these houses, or does "Grabber Gordon" intend to subsidise them with taxpayers money? and if it's to be administered by a government department add another 30% to costs...

David Harrison, Grantham, Lincs, UK

Hmmm. Lord Grabiner. A major donor to the Labour Party around the time he donned ther ermine.

Plus ca change....

Silver Shred, Banbury, England

What a prize pillock. This idea is nothing but an expensive gimmick that will do more environmental damage than good. Instead of trying to create new towns, Brown and co should concentrate on ensuring our existing cities become environmentally friendly. Still, just as Nero fiddled while Rome burned...

aus9+1, London,

And supplying the technology for these Eco Towns will be American, German, Danish and other overseas companies... Another piece of strategic brilliance on Brown's part... Using UK taxpayers money to promote other country's technology companies..

Dick, Aberdeenshire,