Thursday, March 19, 2009

News: Eco-vision for Dearne Valley as the green heart of the City Region

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A council report has outlined the vision for the Dearne Valley to have a new future and a whole new identity as the first "Eco Park" in the UK. Developed by the Dearne Valley Special Board, the vision would see the Dearne Valley reimagined as an eco-valley and the report states that: "as a pioneer in the Sheffield City Region, the Dearne would grasp the opportunities and apply the solutions needed to reduce the community's CO2 emissions such that, within a decade, it will be the lowest carbon community of its type in the UK." The Dearne Valley was one of the most polluted areas in Western Europe and following the demise of the traditional coal mining industry there has been significant regeneration investment. The board believe that the Dearne still lacks a new and coherent sense of identity and purpose and commissioned consultants, Urbed, to develop the vision. Features include new transport links, developing environmental technologies, efficient and sustainable land use and strong communities, with purpose, identity and cohesion. As a first step, it was suggested that the Dearne should achieve the lowest carbon footprint of any comparable place – within ten years. The vision states that: "for the communities of the Dearne, the vision will mean the delivery of more energy efficient homes, cutting fuel bills for residents. Better public transport links will improve access and reduce reliance on the car. More training opportunities will be available in skills to address climate change, improving peoples job prospects and equipping them for the new jobs created in the Dearne as more businesses, specialising in environmental technologies, are attracted to the area. An enhanced natural environment will create a place where people want to live and work and bring up their families, as well as attracting visitors from across the City Region."
Council report

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