glossary

You'll find definitions for some of the most common terms used in discussions about eco-towns below.

'Affordable housing'

The term 'affordable housing' can cover a number of different types of housing provision, including below market-rate housing both for rent and for purchase, housing provided for rent by registered social landlords ('RSLs') and 'shared ownership' schemes whereby residents pay for a proportion of the property, in order to gain a foothold on the housing market, and can then increase the proportion of the property they hold in order to allow a larger deposit to be accumulated.

'Zero-carbon' towns

Eco-towns aim to be examples of best practice developments. As such they must adhere to strict criteria, one of the most important being steps to combat climate change. Each eco-town will be required to be 'zero-carbon' over the course of a year and this means that over the course of a year the net carbon emissions from all energy use from buildings in the development are zero.

'Brownfield' and 'greenfield'

The term 'brownfield' refers to a previously developed piece of land (including the entire footprint from buildings and associated infrastructure) - for example land previously used for industrial purposes - these sites are often, but not always, in pre existing towns and urban areas. The term 'greenfield' refers to land which has not previously been built on, for example land currently being used for agriculture or left to nature - these sites are often in the countryside.

'Greenbelt'

The meaning of 'greenbelt' is distinct from 'greenfield' - it is a designation for land surrounding certain large cities and built up areas, designated as such with the aim of keeping the space open or mostly undeveloped.

'Green infrastructure'

A network of green space, new and existing greenery both urban and rural, supporting natural processes and providing a pleasant green living environment for everyone. Examples include street trees and grass verges, as well as hedgerows and flowerbeds.