Unanimous 'No' to eco-town plan

7:47am Tuesday 13th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

STRATFORD District councillors have voted unanimously not to support the eco-town proposal at Long Marston and will write to the government to ask for it to be removed from the shortlist.

The vote was taken at a full council meeting on Monday afternoon at council headquarters on Church Street, in Stratford, and followed a lively morning of demonstrations just outside the council offices.

The meeting, chaired by Cllr Stuart Beese, was of so much interest to so many local people that special arrangements were made for it to be broadcast live over the internet.

During the meeting most councillors were united in their opposition to the plans.

Cllr Izzy Seccombe said: "The eco-town proposal bypasses the regional spatial strategy and the local county plan.

"Local communities have taken the time and effort to let us know their opinion on this matter, and we would be failing in our duty if we do not acknowledge this."

Councillors took it in turns to try and capture the zeitgeist, drawing applause from members of the public who had managed to pack into the council chamber, highlighting important issues such as the impact of increased traffic on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the fact they have a heritage to protect.

Clive Moy, protestor and head of community liaison for the BARD Campaign, said: "The meeting was absolutely brilliant, we have won the day.

"The demonstration this morning went very well too, there were about 400-500 people and the police had to close the road off. The crowd was very good natured though.

"I was there when they handed over a copy of the 6,000 name petition that is being sent to the government, with local Cllr Mike Brain handing it over to Les Topham before the meeting, and there were other councillors who expressed their support on their way in.

"But people can't afford to relax, this is just the battle and we havn't won the war yet."