Eco-town residents could get green classes

Residents of a proposed development could be offered lessons in living a low carbon life, according to the firms behind the project.

People who bought homes in the planned 6,000 home at the Middle Quinton eco-town in Long Marston would receive lessons on recycling, alternative power sources and using bicycles and public transport, according to St Modwen and the Bird Group.

Tony Bird, Bird Group chairman, told the Birmingham Post: "A lot of people are very keen to be green, especially young people. We hope to give house-buyers an induction when we will talk about recycling and car use. This is going to be a famous exemplar."

Proposals for the eco town, which have been submitted to the housing minister Caroline Flint, include a network of cycle routes and car free zones around schools.

According to the developers this would eliminate the morning and afternoon school run, which they claim is responsible for a third of rush-hour traffic.

Parking charges will be set high in order to deter non-residents from driving in and instead using the high quality bus or rail link to Stratford.

Government plans for the site include 2,000 affordable houses.