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High density living is the way forward, say CPRE

Posted: 21/05/2008

A return to well designed high density living, in rural as well as urban areas, is the way to build sustainable communities and secure environmental objectives, according to new research by CPRE.

Marina Pacheco Head of Planning at CPRE said: ‘Current housing policy is causing settlements to spread out wider, and people are now living further away from each other than at any point since the birth of modern cities. The creation of ten new eco-towns, the centrepiece of Gordon Brown’s housing plans, will only worsen this drift, and will weaken the social fabric of existing towns.’

The report - The Proximity Principle: why we are living too far apart, suggests that proximity encourages community interaction, makes public transport, local services and environmental initiatives more viable, and drives creativity – a key component of a successful economy. The author of the report is Rebecca Willis, an independent researcher and Vice-Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.

Based on detailed qualitative research with householders in four towns and villages, the report says that a new focus on proximity could bring both social and environmental rewards:

• living closer together encourages more community interaction, and reduces isolation for vulnerable social groups, such as young families;
• compact settlements require less transport, and reduce car use, with health and environmental benefits;
• higher density development is environmentally beneficial, resulting in lower carbon emissions;
• in rural areas, more compact villages could help to stem the decline in rural services such as shops, post offices and bus services.

The report suggested that the following could encourage higher density:-
• tax incentives for refurbishment and reuse of land and buildings within existing settlements;
• ambitious design standards for new homes: internal ‘space standards’ should specify generous living space within homes, while minimum density levels should ensure compact, walkable settlements;
• new settlements such as eco-towns should only be considered when there is clear demand for additional housing that cannot be provided within existing settlements.

Becky Willis, author of this report commented: ‘Despite the advantages of proximity, Gordon Brown’s housing policy is causing greater dispersal, by promoting new ‘eco-towns’ outside existing settlements and refusing to provide incentives for development within existing towns and villages. This report suggests that housing policy should focus on supporting existing communities.’

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