LIZ LYNNE MEP VISITS ECO-HOMES DEVELOPMENT

12.00.00am GMT Tue 13th Nov 2007

Local MEP Liz Lynne has visited a new energy-efficient housing development where she took part in the turf-cutting ceremony to mark the start of work and visited the show home, observing a demonstration of the cutting-edge technology involved.

The development, by Heart of England Housing Group, is situated at Lighthorne Heath, near Leamington Spa. Apart from sustainable housing the site will also include a new shop and post office, to promote local convenience and discourage unnecessary car-use for daily necessities.

Speaking after the event, Liz Lynne said:

"I was delighted to come here to see what our region can achieve using new technology to help the environment and of course bring down household bills. The developers must be congratulated on this pioneering work.

"While initial lay-out for these new technologies can seem high, in the long-term overall costs can tumble, so that hopefully in the future we can avoid the annual horror stories of winter deaths due to people not being able to pay their heating bills.

"Sadly the UK lags behind other European countries on household energy efficiency and at times the European institutions can seem to move slowly on such matters. However, now European heads of state have adopted binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas and energy consumption by 20% by 2020, progress is being made in this area."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Photo captions:

1) Liz Lynne MEP cutting the turf to mark the start of development

3) Liz Lynne at the start of development: l-r Cllr Gillian Roache, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Stratford-on-Avon DC, Liz Lynne MEP, Michael Culverwell, Chair of South Warwickshire Housing Association, John Maples MP, Frank Ewer, Chair of Lighthorne Heath Parish Council

4) Liz Lynne MEP opening the show home with John Maples MP

Heart of England Housing Group: http://www.heart-of-england.co.uk/