Digest - this month

An announcement on the locations of the government’s 10 promised eco-towns has been delayed and will not now take place until the summer. The government originally said it would make public the chosen sites at the end of February. But a source told Regenerate that DCLG would instead publish a number of “broad locations” for a consultation that will run until June. The final 10 eco-towns are now expected to be announced in July.

The source said the consultation is likely to include 12-15 locations, to create a competitive environment. Developers are then expected to draw up detailed plans, as well as prove how eco-friendly the new towns would be.

It is understood that the final announcement might include the creation of further “growth points” – eco-town proposals which are urban extensions, as opposed to stand-alone schemes.

The £1.5bn Elephant & Castle scheme in south London has a new project director – Jon Abbott. The position has been vacant since the previous holder, Chris Horn, left abruptly in October last year. Horn is now advising regeneration company Igloo on its bid for the London 2012 media centre. The Elephant regeneration scheme is being held up by a wrangle between preferred developer Lend Lease and Transport for London . TfL has told Lend Lease it has to rework its plans because it does not want to pay for proposed changes to the tube station and road network in the area. A source said: “This comes down to a political deal at the Greater London Authority level.”

One of the first buildings on a £400m development at Hale Village, near Tottenham in north London will be submitted for planning next month. The project, by Barratt and Lea Valley Estates, includes 1,200 apartments for private sale, a new hotel, a medical centre and a school. For more on the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley, see page 12.

London mayor Ken Livingstone last week announced tough sustainability targets as part of a re-vamped London Plan. All new buildings will now have to invest in, or link to, decentralised energy systems. The policy then states that major developments must reduce the remaining carbon emissions by 20% through onsite renewables.

For more on the new look London Plan go to www.london.gov.uk/thelondonplan.

A new model of shared equity home ownership has been launched on a housing scheme in Surrey. Under the model, buyers purchase 75% of the property, with the remaining 25% stake held by the local council – Reigate and Banstead. Buyers do not have to pay rent or interest on the remaining stake, unlike most shared equity schemes, which they can buy back at any stage. Those wanting to sell before buying the additional 25% have to offer first refusal to a council-nominated purchaser, but can otherwise sell their property at 75% of its value on the open market.

There are 47 shared equity homes on the development, called Vivid, which is by Linden Homes.

Three former employees of Amec and Stuart Lipton’s Chelsfield Partners have set up a regeneration business, Genr8 Developments. The new company, a 50:50 joint venture, will focus on large-scale, mixed-use urban projects. Chelsfield will provide administrative, accounting and legal services. A spokesperson for the company said: “The culture is very much to continue to build on the Amec Developments model.”

The Mail on Sunday British Homes Awards 2008 has launched a competition to design a “house for life”. Housebuilder Crest Nicholson has pledged to build the winning house and the winning architect will receive a prize of £5,000. Deadline for entries is 11 April. For further information: www.britishhomesawards.com .