Rics: Eco-towns run ghetto risk

New eco-towns run the risk of being isolated from existing communities, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) warned today.

The government today named 15 candidate locations shortlisted for the ten eco-towns, as very publicly backed by Gordon Brown, but Rics warns any environmental gains made could be lost if strong communities are not built with strong communications links.

James Rowlands, RICS public policy officer, said: "The development of brand new towns runs the risk of creating isolated pockets of housing that are not effectively linked into existing communities.

"Potential environmental benefits from eco-towns would be lost if strong communities are not created or if the people who live in them are reliant on private cars for transport."

He went on to suggest that the government should opt for "eco-extensions" to existing communities, rather than completely new towns.