Leaders re-affirm opposition to eco-town

2:46pm Thursday 19th June 2008

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LOCAL government leaders have re-affirmed their opposition to the eco town this week.

The main concerns centre on the lack of a sustainable infrastructure and the undemocratic' planning system being used to push proposals through.

Jack Hegarty, Managing Director of Wychavon Distirict Council said: "Creating new settlements in isolated rural areas could lead to development in unsustainable locations. Moreover, if the objective is to meet housing need, it is best to do it where the need arises.

"Proposals must follow normal planning procedures and not represent a backdoor way of imposing additional housing numbers."

Evesham Mayor Alan Booth said: "The eco town is a no-go is as there is no infrastructure and the plans just don't hold up. It is also an undemocratic system of planning as it goes through on the nod of a Government officer.

"It seems that no real thought has gone into it and it will create more of a carbon footprint than it is supposed to remove."

District councillor and former chairman of Worcestershire County Council John Smith said: "This has not been thought through and it is not a suitable location as it splits Worcestershire County Council and Warwickshire County Council.

"The infrastructure will not offer sustainable living and the design is ill conceived."