Plans to build eco-homes 'welcomed'
2008-11-05
Members of the Trade Union Congress have welcomed plans by the government to build five new eco-towns.Earlier this week, housing minister Margaret Becket launched the second public consultation regarding the construction of thousands of green homes.
General secretary of the union Brendan Barber said: "Everyone in the UK should be able to afford decent housing, but for many people renting a good quality flat or owning their own home remains a distant dream.
"We therefore welcome the Government's plans to build five new eco-towns. More good quality, environmentally-friendly homes must be built and quickly.
"We need to get the housing market moving again during the economic down turn and develop new skills to make construction environmentally-friendly."
The consultation will be open until February 19th 2009 with construction workers, architects and others building industry professionals expected to welcome the move.
If the plans are given the go ahead, the government hopes to build five eco-towns by 2016 and ten by 2020.
