FORD ECO-TOWN: Minister to visit Ford eco-site

Housing minister Caroline Flint is set to visit Ford this summer.

The government minister is hoping to look around the possible site for an eco-town during July or August.

She intends to go to all the 15 possible sites for the developments of between 5,000-20,000 houses before she makes a decision about the final ten locations this October.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She indicated her desire to get a first-hand view of the Ford area during the latest House of Commons debate to feature the controversial scheme.

The discussion saw MPs Nick Herbert and Nick Gibb renew their opposition to the proposals.

Mr Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) said: "The tiny village of Ford lies within my constituency and is shortlisted to have an eco-town with 5,000 houses.

"That would make it by far the largest settlement in my constituency, irrevocably transforming the countryside and the small villages around it."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Herbert said it was well recognised that more affordable housing was needed. But the decision about where it should be located was one best left to elected councillors.

"It is wrong in principle and will result in the wrong decisions if those decisions are imposed from on high by the government," he said.

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Mr Gibb said Arun District Council had already identified and allocated land for 9,500 houses of which between 30 and 40 per cent would be social housing.

It was, therefore, wrong of Ms Flint to intervene to impose housing numbers on the council.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP