Some time ago the politicians decided that they would have a competition for designs on housing building in the future for which Allerton Bywater was nominated as an area in need of regeneration.  It won, and so the "Millennium Village" was born.   

What a fantastic idea.  To create a millennium village, a blueprint for future developments using the latest technology both in construction and materials, cutting down on car use, etc etc etc.

High ideals indeed.  Now look at the plan.

570 prefabricated terrace houses complete with car barns. Three storey flats.  A diving centre in the pit shaft, new shops and a pub (to put the existing ones out of business presumably).  Very very little green space.  No comment as yet on improvements to roads (except for traffic calming).

Technology already exists in conventional houses.  Prefabrications are a cheap fix, and prefabricated terraced houses are not high on everyones shopping list.

The idea is good, the reality is abysmal and all in the name of regenerating a poor old mining village.  More like creating a new town. 
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