Ecorazzi

A 4,000 home eco village, designed in part by Prince Charles, has started development with the clearing of land on the site of a former BP oil refinery in the UK. According to new info, the site will be based on the Prince of Wales’s model village Poundbury in Dorset and will emphasize priority for pedestrians, local shopping and as many trees, shrubs and other greenery as possible. The project is a working partnership between The Prince’s Foundation, BP, Neath Port Talbot Council and the National Assembly. It is expected to take almost 20 years to complete and will be named the Coed Darcy village.

Okay, a couple things. First, 4,000 homes? Wow. I’ve never heard of an “eco village” on this scale before. Also, it worries me when an article describes the project but makes no mention of renewable energy sources being employed. Will there be a mix of projects — similar to the green energy in place on Smøla island in Norway? Obviously, the scale of the development has many worried. “They are calling Coed Darcy an urban village. But I call it a housing estate,” said one resident. Let’s hope size does not limit the green.

via icWales