FOR

TWO different types of people come to discuss housing issues with MPs like myself who represent constituencies in the heart of Yorkshire. Both are anxious and concerned about the future, but for very different reasons.

The first group are desperate to find decent housing to rent or buy, and at a price that they can afford. Many are young, hardworking families who want to put down roots and have children in the area in which they themselves grew up.

Others, perhaps through the break-up of their marriages, are representative of the increasing proportion of our nation who, through choice or circumstance, are living on their own and thereby pushing up demand for housing.

The second group of people are critical of unplanned development as illustrated by "garden grabbing" or by extensions to villages which bring extra residents, but no extra services. They quite rightly want to preserve the character of rural Yorkshire. To their credit, most of the people in this second category do acknowledge that the nation is facing a shortage of homes that ordinary families can afford.

The Regional Spatial Strategy, which is determined by Government and local councils, suggests that 13,800 homes need to be built annually in the Leeds City Region (which stretches as far as Barnsley, York and Harrogate) to try to keep up with demand. Only about 9,000 properties per year have been built over recent years and many of these have been city centre flats unsuitable for families.

On top of this, the Leeds City Region is aiming to create 150,000 jobs in the next decade, further fuelling demand for good residential accommodation.

It is in this context that Gordon Brown's decision to revive the concept of garden cities in the modern guise of eco-towns is to be welcomed. They will provide much needed environmentally-friendly housing, but in a planned manner. Such towns will probably average about 10,000 homes with a separate, distinct identity. They will have good public transport links to surrounding towns and cities. They will boast a range of facilities, including a secondary school, shopping, business space and leisure and have up to 50 per cent affordable housing with a wide range of possible tenure and ownership models, including shared equity, with a particular emphasis on larger family homes.

Such developments will be designed to achieve zero carbon through energy efficiency and renewable energy. They will also encourage walking and residents will be less reliant on the private car. An ambitious agenda certainly – but achievable with political will. Examples of similar projects are common throughout Europe. Indeed, Northstowe in Cambridgeshire will provide 9,500 homes which measure up to most of the criteria outlined above.

So where do things stand at the moment? Last summer, the Government asked for proposals for eco-towns from both local councils and developers.

In Yorkshire, the Leeds City Region backed the concept but left the developers to suggest sites. On reflection, the region has now commissioned an independent study to scour the county for the best sites. In passing, it is perhaps worthwhile imagining the outcry about Whitehall imposition that would have occurred if the Government had nominated the sites itself without any reference to local government.

By the summer, the Government will choose about 10 sites (including almost certainly at least one in Yorkshire) after consulting bodies such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, English Heritage and the Highways Agency. These will be promoted as eco-towns but will still need to apply for planning permission.

Brownfield sites will obviously have a particular attraction, but there may not be enough such sites to provide 10 viable eco-towns. Eco-towns will only provide an answer to a part of our urgent housing demand, but they can be a beacon of what is possible.

In Selby District, despite local controversy concerning the suitability of various sites, an online poll indicated a two to one majority in favour of the concept. The initial reaction (since modified) of the local Conservative council leader was that "an eco-town would bring benefits not just to Selby, but the region as a whole". I couldn't have put it better myself.

John Grogan is the Labour MP for Selby.