Transcript Carfree Development in Europe - The UK Situation by Ed Beale Why UK Policy Changed    Until the 1980s, UK policy favoured low density housing.

Carfree Development in Europe
- The UK Situation
by Ed Beale
Why UK Policy Changed
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Until the 1980s, UK policy favoured low
density housing development – sprawling
cul-de-sac suburbs were built.
The government tried to build enough roads to
keep up with the growing traffic.
In the 1980s a government report finally
concluded that it was impossible to build
enough roads as the traffic would always grow
to fill them.
Why UK Policy Changed (2)
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Also there was increasing opposition to new
road building, including high profile direct
action at Newbury and Twyford Down.
Over the next few years there was a change
in government policy
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New road building was largely stopped
New planning policies favoured non-car transport
modes; high density housing; the re-use of
previously developed land; and reduction in car
parking spaces.
Planning Policy – Section 106
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Key element of UK planning policy used to
promote sustainable transport is Section 106
of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Legally binding agreements for the provision
of community facilities as part of granting of
planning permission, sometimes used for:
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Building of cycle and pedestrian paths
Funding for improved bus services for 3-5 years
Improvements to local schools or parks
Travel Plan to promote sustainable travel
Slateford Green, Edinburgh
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Slateford Green, completed in 2000, remains
the best example of UK carfree housing
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Carfree
community space
High frequency
bus routes
Nearby schools
and supermarket
Childrens play
areas
Recent Developments – Car Clubs
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Car clubs allow occasional car use to non-car
owners including carfree residents. Work well
in carfree areas.
Cheaper than standard car hire and car
parked close by. Car only used when needed.
Car clubs usually need initial funding but can
become self-funding after a few years.
Section 106 can provide the initial funding.
Recent Developments –
Residential Travel Plans
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Residential travel plans are one of the latest
planning measures in the UK.
Requires the developer of any large new
housing development to consider all transport
modes and all destinations and to show they
have considered how they will reduce traffic.
Traffic surveys must be carried out and the
travel plan changed if not achieving targets.
New Carfree Housing
Developments in London
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A very large number of small carfree housing
developments built in London, but most so
small they only occupy a single building –
there is no carfree community space.
Some larger developments:
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Camden strong support for carfree
Bush Homes, West London - former factory site,
170 carfree units and car club – completion 2007
Car-reduced BedZed and Greenwich Millennium
Village, but still have 0.85 spaces per unit
Barriers to Good Carfree
Development
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Developers and planners often don't
understand the benefits true carfree housing
should bring to quality community space.
Details of developments are often decided
“behind closed doors”
Local residents and their city councillors are
often so scared of overflow parking problems
they demand more parking for developments.
Opportunities Missed
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Edinburgh city transport planners have been
so preoccupied with trying to build the tram
they have no time for carfree at the moment.
Very promising site in Bristol with developers
interested in carfree was opposed by local
residents because it would change setting of
historic church – site remains derelict.
High profile London sustainable developments
are only car-reduced not carfree.
Future Opportunities in the UK
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Many development sites in city centres with
excellent public transport links and services.
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We need more carfree awareness, especially
amongst developers.
Five new “Eco-towns” with between 5,000 and
20,000 houses each are planned.
Other small new towns and urban extensions
– but the public transport needs improvement
More Information
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Websites with Information about carfree
housing in the UK:
http://www.carfree.org.uk/
http://www.carfreehousing.org/