FORD ECO-TOWN: High court blow to Ford plans

A High Court challenge against the national project to create the sustainable communities has been lost.

A judge rejected their complaint there had been a failure to consult the public properly over the policy to build 'environmentally-friendly' towns to meet housing shortages.

Mr Justice Walker, sitting at the High Court in London, stressed the project was 'at a relatively early stage' and there would be future chances for consultation.

He ruled the Government had not followed unlawful procedures or attempted to 'outflank' the planning system. He also rejected accusations that it had proceeded with 'a closed mind'.

Margaret Beckett, the government's housing minister, welcomed the judgment. "Eco-towns are a unique opportunity to deliver much-needed affordable housing, built in a way which, by incorporating the very latest energy saving techniques, benefits both residents and the wider community," she stated.

She pointed out that the second consultation period was still open. Proposals for those sites selected at end of it would be subject to the usual planning process to provide a third chance for people who live nearby to have their say.

The failed legal challenge was spearheaded by the Better Accessible Responsible Development (Bard) campaign, which is opposed to 6,000 new homes being built near Long Marston, Warwickshire, 10 miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Two further pressure groups opposed to eco towns in Oxfordshire and Leicestershire also joined the legal bid to have the process scrapped.

Ford airfield was included on the government's shortlist of potential sites when it was issued last April.

It was given a B rating last November as having the potential to be used for 5,000 homes, plus the creation of jobs, but only if drawbacks with the infrastructure around the mainly agricultural site were overcome.

Mr David Bliss, the chairman of BARD, said: "Poorly-sited eco-towns will lead to soulless commuter-based dormitory towns becoming expensive white elephants of the future. We do not intend to stand by and watch this happen.

"Despite the ruling, we hope the government will listen to local people and their democratically elected representatives before progressing with the programme."