Housing minister Yvette Cooper has outlined details of the government's proposed Thames Gateway development.

Under the ambitious new plan, the government will pump some £9 billion into what it is dubbing the UK's first major "eco region" comprised of some 160,000 new energy-efficient homes.

The proposal also encompasses retrofitting green improvements to existing properties, with the installation of double glazing insulation and other green technologies minimising emissions from the region's existing housing stock.

Citing new national and international travel links to the region, Ms Cooper said that recent government funding had facilitated major transport projects that are transforming the Gateway.

"We have already achieved a great deal but we must raise our ambitions and go further and faster," she continued. "We've now set out plans and money to do so - with a new eco-region offering a great quality of life for its inhabitants."

Gordon Brown has set a target of building ten new eco towns, each comprised of up to 100,000 energy efficient homes.

© Adfero Ltd

Author:  Joanne McCabe

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