COUNTRYSIDE campaigners have urged the Government to scale back plans to build eco-towns just days before an announcement of preferred locations is made.

Cut plans for eco-towns, say campaigners

Cambridge Evening News 15th July 2009

COUNTRYSIDE campaigners have urged the Government to scale back plans to build eco-towns just days before an announcement of preferred locations is made.

One of the controversial new developments could be built at North East Elsenham but the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is calling for just one or two "exemplar schemes" instead of up to four which could go forward to the next stage of the planning process.

Originally, a site called Hanley Grange, near Hinxton, was also on the Government's shortlist of 15 sites. Northstowe, a new town to be built on the former Oakington barracks site, was never on the list.

Residents living near Hanley Grange campaigned vigorously against that proposal and Tesco withdrew its plans for the 13,000- home town from the shortlist.

The Government says proposed eco-towns must have zero carbon status across all buildings, have 40 per cent of their area as allocated green space and ensure extensive public transport is provided.

It is expected to announce its preferred locations tomorrow (Thursday, 16 July), after considering 12 schemes still on the list.

But the CPRE has said it should focus on just one or two while pledging to refurbish England's 800,000 empty homes.

Kate Gordon, CPRE senior planning officer, said: "We support the Government's aspirations for more sustainable, affordable housing, but for eco-towns to be truly sustainable, exemplar schemes they must be built and planned in the right way."

She said measures to provide homes and tackle climate change "should include bringing into use empty buildings, moving to a low carbon economy and regenerating urban areas."

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