PLANS for an eco-town development at Long Marston have been abandoned, it was announced yesterday.

The news on the eco-town, which would have been called Middle Quinton, was announced in a letter from Henry Cleary, the deputy director of the Housing and Growth Programme team within the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The letter was sent to all local, district and regional authorities affected by eco- town plans and confirmed that the Long Marston project was no longer to be pursued.

In the letter Mr Cleary states: “In terms of going forward with eco-towns and eco-developments the Housing Minister has made clear that his priority is to see that plans are well supported locally and will achieve genuine improvements in sustainability. The Government will not designate or impose a solution on a particular area and will not support an eco-town if the local community are opposed to it.’ The news was welcomed by campaign group Bard (Better Accessable Responsible Development) which has fought against the plans for the past three years.

David Bliss, chairman of the Bard campaign was delighted. “At long last some government common sense. Bard volunteers have worked long and hard to protect the countryside.

“In this, at least, people power did prevail.”