FORD ECO-TOWN: To build new town 'without road improvements' inconceivable

Nick Herbert, the MP for Arundel and the South Downs, used a Commons debate with Margaret Beckett to stress such a development would be unacceptable.

"We have very congested roads, including the A27, which is meant to be a coastal highway but is, in fact, a coastal car park," he stated.

"It is congested at key times, which I believe contributes significantly to the relative deprivation of Littlehampton and other coastal areas.

"I do not believe the existence of a railway station at Ford... is adequate mitigation against the loss of access which people would suffer if a new town were sited in the middle of the countryside. That is a major flaw in this particular scheme.

"The Arundel bypass has been awaited for decades. At one stage, it was about to be put in the government's programme but it is now a distant prospect, which will not even start until 2016.

"It is impossible to conceive of siting a new settlement of 5,000 people without that upgrade in the key local road. It will mean major traffic congestion in the villages and in Arundel."

Mr Herbert, the shadow environment minister, used last Wednesday'sdebate to outline further local concerns about the eco-town scheme,

He highlighted the impact the new town homes would have on a site next to an area of outstanding natural beauty. He also turned to the huge amount of opposition to the proposed development.

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb continued the criticism of the Ford proposal. He outlined the fears that services, such as schools, would fail to meet the needs of 10,000 to 15,000 people likely to live in the new town.

"People in my constituency are not nimbies," he stressed. "We understand the need for new housing.

"But in numbers and in locations that are sensitive to the environment in which we live and which are based on decisions taken locally by elected councillors sensitive to the views of the people they represent and sensitive to the fact that tourism is still a large employer in Littlehampton and Bognor.

"That particular stretch of countryside is key to the beauty of the area and the attractiveness of both seaside towns for tourists."

Mrs Beckett agreed to a request from the Mr Gibb and Mr Herbert to meet them to discuss the Ford scheme in detail.

She replied that the housing within eco-towns would count towards a council's housing targets set by her department.

Only those eco-towns which met the highest environmental standards would be backed by the government. They would then still need to go through the local planning process.

"I hope that, whatever the outcome on the Ford proposal, we all agree that there is a critical need for more affordable housing in the area.

"I am encouraged by the information from Mr Gibb that other proposals are being considered, because such development is very necessary.

"It is not enough for people to reject the eco-town proposal out of hand.

"If it proves not to be the right answer, constructive alternative proposals will be needed.

"In my view, the programme represents an exciting opportunity to meet housing need while making sustainable living attainable and affordable for everyone.

"I believe it has tremendous potential but I am determined only the best proposals will be implemented," she stated.

"It is not enough for people to reject the eco-town proposal out of hand.

"If it proves not to be the right answer, constructive alternative proposals will be needed.

"In my view, the programme represents an exciting opportunity to meet housing need while making sustainable living attainable and affordable for everyone.

"I believe it has tremendous potential but I am determined only the best proposals will be implemented," she stated.

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