While planning applications have long required energy and environmental features, the Littleton Green scheme in Buckinghamshire has taken an approach which seems to be a step ahead of most.
Rather than just ticking the required boxes to help get permission, the scheme is designed with its own energy park – and even that relies upon more than one source.
It may not be the answer to everything but if modest solar farms and wind turbines are there before residents move in, there can be little complaint of any loss of view and, as Mark Schmull points out, the concept creates a sense of ownership. Hopefully, it will also offer a little more energy security.
The massive solar farms popping up around the country, including many in the Thames Valley, are attracting increasing opposition. And wind turbines are definitely not to everyone’s liking. But you can’t really complain if it’s already there when you move in and if it powers your house, you will be invested in it.
Given the global storm clouds which are gathering, it might also be sensible to have larger gardens or allotments so people can grow their own food.
This is far removed from the proliferation of Build-to-Rent homes, occupied by people with no stake in their area.
When Governments and local authorities talk about sustainability, it’s often more about ideology and politics than true environmental improvements.
They can’t wait to talk about their climate emergencies so why aren’t they championing and promoting schemes where the energy infrastructure is built first and the whole scheme is curated around it.
Instead they champion the net zero buzzword without really knowing what it will mean or cost. A closer look at Littleton Green might reveal some attractive ideas. It should get more attention.
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