Review ‘death for eco-towns’

7:51am Tuesday 16th September 2008

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A JUDICIAL review of the eco-town consultation process elsewhere in England has been welcomed by the Conservatives’ parliamentary candidate for Selby.

Campaigners in Warwickshire have been granted the review in their fight to stop an eco-town being built between Stratford-upon-Avon and Evesham.

They have argued that the Government’s eco-town policy is unlawful and should be halted until proper and full consultation has taken place.

The case will now proceed to a full hearing, forcing the Government to justify its new programme before the High Court.

Nigel Adams, who will stand for the new Selby and Ainsty constituency at the next General Election, said, if successful, the judicial review could sound the death knell for Labour’s flagship eco-housing policy, which has loomed over Selby district communities.

Mr Adams said: “I am very pleased that the judge has granted campaigners in Warwickshire a judicial review, and I am confident that the findings will cast doubt on the legality of the whole eco-town programme.

“I also believe the judicial review will conclude that the Government’s consultation process was both inadequate and deeply flawed.

“The issue is quite a simple one. Large-scale local planning decisions like this should be left to local authorities with direct accountability to the people who elect them.

“This Government has tried to railroad this through and they are upset that people will not just lie down and accept it.”

In May, a shortlist of 15 potential eco-town sites across the country was announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint.

The list included a proposal for a site within the Leeds City Region – which includes Selby, York and other parts of North Yorkshire – but did not specify a location.

The Government said it was waiting for a report by consultants GVA Grimley and a final recommendation from the Leeds City Region on the best site.

The region’s local authority leaders unanimously voted not to recommend any sites, after GVA Grimley whittled down four Selby district sites to their recommendation of former Selby Mine railhead Gascoigne Wood.

A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said: “We believe we have acted properly throughout this process and will defend this claim vigorously.

“The Government remains of the view that the claim is premature in challenging an ongoing consultation process.

“The draft planning policy statement and a sustainability appraisal of shortlisted locations will be published shortly for consultation.

“The final shortlist is due to be announced in the New Year, after which individual bids would be subject to the local planning process.”

The spokesman said the department was still in discussions with the Leeds City Region over a potential eco-town site within the region.

Have your say

Is the court process the best way to decide on eco-towns?