Eco-town slum fear

Jun 27 2008

A SERIES of environment-friendly new towns could become the “eco-slums” of the future without more involvement from councils in their development, the Local Government Association warned today.

The LGA said the eco-towns, which would have up to 50 per cent social housing, could turn into slums if they are built without regard to where residents could find jobs and training.

They also risk becoming “dormitory towns” with poor public transport links – cancelling out any carbon benefits if people have to commute by car to school, work or shops, the LGA said.

The warning came as protesters fighting a proposed eco-town in Warwickshire lodged an application for a judicial review of the Government’s handling of the scheme.

The BARD Campaign is opposed to an eco-town of more than 6,000 homes being built between Long Marston and Evesham. The outcome will be seen as a test case for families living near a former airfield site at Curborough, near Lichfield, which is also earmarked for an eco-development.

If successful, families in neighbouring Fradley could follow suit with a similar legal challenge.

Clive Moy, from the BARD Campaign, said: “We feel what the Government has done is undemocratic and we are unhappy with what they have called a ‘full public consultation’.

“There has always been a right in this country under planning regulations for objectors to voice their objections but we feel the Government is trying to run roughshod over us – but we just won’t have it.

“We are hoping that the judge will find in our favour as we believe the Government has acted unlawfully. We are pushing for this because we believe this eco-town is unsuitably situated and it is a matter of location.”

The LGA also complained that eco-towns would have unelected management bodies.