''Follow China on eco - towns'

4:06pm Thursday 5th June 2008

MID-WORCESTERSHIRE MP Peter Luff believes that we should follow China's lead on eco-towns after a recent visit to the Orient.

Mr Luff has recently returned to England following a trip to Asia as part of an Industry and Parliament Trust visit.

During his visit he learned more about the country's plans to build the world's first eco city and says their careful approach' is something that should be adopted when planning the proposed eco towns in this country, such as Middle Quinton' in Long Marston.

Mr Luff has written to housing minister Caroline Flint MP urging her to build pilot eco towns before rushing ahead' with the proposed developments, which are being planned all over England.

In his letter to Mrs Flint he stated: I met with representatives from a company called Arup who are the consultants acting on the world's first eco city.

The city with which they are involved is Dongtan and by Chinese standards is surprisingly small. It will initially be home only to 10,000 people in the demonstrator phase, with a final figure of 80,000 currently planned.

It is seen as a pilot for the principles of sustainability and lessons will be learnt from the experience it provides. My suggestion is that the British Government would be well-advised to learn this more cautious and detailed approach To rush ahead with up to ten eco towns when there are so many reservations being expressed by so many British experts seems more than a little reckless, particularly in the face of such strong local opposition in many areas, including my own.'