FORD ECO-TOWN: Protestors march to Parliament

Campaigners against plans to build a number of eco-towns have marched on Parliament as one leading conservation group urged the Government to 'go back to the drawing board'.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said many of the 15 shortlisted schemes were recycled conventional development proposals and there was a 'worrying lack of evidence' they would offer sustainable lifestyles.

Ford in West Sussex is among the shortlist.

CPRE's head of planning Marina Pacheco urged the Government to focus instead on one or two "truly exemplary" schemes, which were sited in the right place to be sustainable and could be developed to the best green standards.

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The CPRE voiced its concerns as campaigners against nine of the proposals headed to London today to protest against the plans and present a petition against them to 10 Downing Street.

Ford protestors joined groups from Staffordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire to demonstrate outside Parliament.

Last week, the panel of experts appointed to look at the shortlisted eco-town proposals said many needed to do more to improve their environmental standing on issues such as transport.

And a report from the Local Government Association (LGA) warned they risked becoming 'eco-slums' with poor transport links and a lack of available jobs without more involvement from local councils in their planning.

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But housing minister Caroline Flint said those who could 'shout loudest' should not dominate the debate - and produced research showing more voters in favour of eco-towns than against.

A YouGov poll found 46 per cent in support (10 per cent strongly) and just 9 per cent opposed, although more than a third (34 per cent) offered no opinion either way.

Support dropped to 34 per cent when people were asked if they would back an eco-town within five miles of their own home - with 15 per cent objecting.

"Eco-towns are a new concept in England and we know that they invoke strong opinions. That's why the consultation process is so important," Ms Flint said.

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"This is an important consultation, but all voices should be heard, not just those who shout loudest.

"We recognise that some people do have concerns, but this research underlines the real recognition among the general public of the importance of building more affordable homes, and their support for the idea of an eco-town in the local area.

Plans which did "not deliver real benefits and do not meet the highest possible standards" would be rejected, she insisted, in an open process.

"We believe eco-towns can provide new, sustainable housing which can bring tangible benefits and an improved quality of life for thousands of people," she said.

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"We are strongly urging anyone with an interest in our housing shortage, more sustainable living and climate change to give us their views."

Among concerns identified by CPRE were that most of the proposals involved greenfield sites, chosen by developers, and went against local plans agreed with communities.

They were unlikely to work in transport terms, because of their locations, and risked being car-dependent housing estates with residents stranded as fuel prices rise, it said.

Ms Pacheco said: "We are urging the Government to go back to the drawing board. Many of these shortlisted schemes are recycled, failed proposals.

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"But by refusing to look at alternatives, such as eco-quarters and redevelopment sites already coming through the planning pipeline, it is missing a golden opportunity."

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said: "This is the CPRE reverting to type, opposing the housing that young families and first-time buyers need.

"It is a shame that CPRE are preferring to perpetuate myths rather than engaging in the debate about how we build the houses we need."

Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps, who joined the protesters, said eco-towns were "dead and buried".

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"Whilst we have supported the principles underpinning them, it is becoming clear just how poorly thought through and unworkable the whole scheme is.

"At no point will they meet their twin objectives of being environmentally friendly and tackling the housing shortage. From start to finish eco-towns have been mired in spin not substance.

"Caroline Flint has already backtracked on her initial pledge to build 10 eco-towns now saying 'up to' 10 eco towns will be built.

"This is a clear admission that she's believes the eco-town project is fundamentally flawed. She and Gordon Brown need to wake-up and realise the game is up."

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It was reported yesterday (Sunday, June 29, that the Treasury could make up to 275 million out of selling Government-owned land on which to build the eco-towns.

A DCLG spokesman said: "No decisions have been taken on which sites might go forward and all will require planning permission, but if surplus public sector land is available in the right area, then it is clearly right to consider development on such brownfield sites in preference to areas of green belt."

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