Groups of new homes and larger projects constructed entirely from scratch can provide opportunities for well-planned, environmentally-friendly developments, it has been asserted.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has suggested that the need for new homes should remain a matter of "key importance" and that entirely new projects constructed by developers can help to solve the ongoing shortages.

Kate Henderson, communications manager for the association, commented: "The TCPA's case is that such settlements can provide opportunities for greener and well-planned developments but that they must be properly networked into the urban core with public transport and communications links to ensure they perform as part of an integrated cluster."

She added that equal weighting should be given to environmental impact and economic and social development when designing new "eco-towns".

The TCPA lobbies for the reform of the planning system across the UK, attempting to make it more responsive to people's needs and promote sustainable development.