THE Haven Gateway Partnership’s announcement it had received £200,000 from the Government to look into eco homes was greeted with widespread derision.

North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin, councillors and even Friends of the Earth voiced their dismay at the prospect of thousands of homes being built between Colchester and Harwich.

Although the Haven Gateway Partnership, a quasi-government body, insisted it was not looking to build an eco town, the money was awarded to look into building more than 5,000, and up to 8,000 homes.

Unsurprisingly, the prospect a homes development equivalent to the size of Brightlingsea in the north Essex countryside did not go down well – even if they had green credentials.

The Haven Gateway Partnership has since distanced itself further from eco homes, saying the money has simply been given to them to find more sustainable ways to build.

But the fact remains, 16,800 homes have to be built in the Colchester borough by May 2031, and 6,500 in Tendring by 2026.

And no one is disputing the Haven Gateway Partnership has been given the money to find “more sustainable ways to build” along the A120 corridor, between Colchester and Harwich.

However, David Ralph, chief executive of the Haven Gateway Partnership, has played down the term “eco”.

He said the money would be used to look into adopting some of the principles of eco towns into building projects in the future, such as improving public transport.

Mr Ralph said: “Some money has been given to us to look into more sustainable ways to further build. This is not about building eco towns or eco homes.”

The message from Whitehall, however, suggests Mr Ralph might have to learn to embrace the term “eco”.

The Department for Communities and Local Government, which awarded the money, has told the Gazette all options are still on the table. But Rose Waddilove, spokeswoman for the department, said: “Proposals from the Haven Gateway Partnership to build new communities using eco town standards are at a very early stage. Any future plans will need full local consultation.”

When the money was announced, it was clear from the Government the joint proposal from the Haven Gateway Partnership and Essex County Council was part of the Government’s “second wave” of eco towns.

The initial announcement also outlined the criteria for eco development.

The statement read: “Any eco town development needs to be made up of at least 5,000 homes and all proposals will be subject to widespread public consultation and local planning approval before going ahead.”

Despite the debate about how “eco” these homes built in north Essex would be, eco town developments are about to get under way elsewhere in the country.

One area where a self-contained eco town is being built is north of Cambridge, on the site of former RAF barracks.

Known as Northstowe, the development will consist of about 9,500 homes and create up to 9,000 jobs.

More than £100million is being invested into public transport to and from the town, in a bid to make people forgo their cars for greener transport.

Alan Joyner, executive director of Gallagher Estates, which is involved in the development of the project, believes integrated infrastructure is key to making the town work.

He said: “One of the big principles of eco towns is to address the climate change issue. If we want these towns to be really sustainable, we need high- quality public transport links, and we need to be discouraging cars.”

An eco town has:

Smart meters to track energy use, community heat sources and charging points for electric cars

Homes should take energy from sun, wind and earth

Residents can sell their surplus energy for the grid

Homes must be located within ten minutes’ walk of frequent public transport and everyday neighbourhood services

Greenspace must make up two fifths of towns

At least 30 per cent of houses in eco towns must be affordable homes

Children will attend local zero carbon schools, making use of the paths and cycle ways

Car journeys should make up less than half of all journeys.

The Haven Gateway Partnership was formed in 2001 to increase economic opportunities in the public and private sectors.

It encompasses the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich, Mistley and the surrounding areas, and works with five local councils, two county councils and those involved in the ports, shipping and logistics industries.

The Haven Gateway Partnership’s website lists its objective as: “To deliver a high-quality environment for its residents, workers and visitors, by capitalising on its location as a key gateway, realising its potential for significant substantial growth.”

Funding comes from partner organisations, such as Essex County Council, but a substantial amount is from the Government’s East of England Development Agency.