The Government has been warned that forcing its ‘eco town’ programme on local authorities and their inhabitants will still provoke legal challenge, despite publication of a new draft planning policy.
The warning came from the Local Government Association, in response to publication of a draft planning policy statement, sustainability appraisals, and a revised shortlist of eco town sites containing two new proposals.
Housing minister, Margaret Beckett, promised local communities would be allowed to have their say, but LGA chairman, Margaret Eaton, said backing would only be given to schemes supported by councils and local people.
‘It would be totally unacceptable for the Government to force through eco towns where they’re not wanted,’ she said. ‘Using a national planning policy statement to create bias towards a particular government scheme isn’t just ill-advised. Leading lawyers have said the approach is open to challenge under both domestic and European law.’
The original 13 sites and two areas for investigation announced in April were eroded by developers withdrawing in response to opposition and economic turmoil. But, despite speculation that virtually none would proceed, the Department of Communities and Local Government’s new shortlist of 12 includes two new sites – Rackheath, near Norwich, proposed by developers in October, and a site northwest of Bicester, added following problems with ‘Weston Otmoor’.
DCLG has graded all 12 in three categories, but only Rackheath achieves an A grade – generally suitable – while the rest are rated ‘might be suitable’. Weston Otmoor as unsuitable without substantial and exceptional innovation. ‘I do not expect all of these locations to go forward,’ said Beckett. ‘The eco town standards are tough, and I think some of these schemes could struggle to meet them.’
Several have met substantial opposition from critics, who say their locations often fail to ‘make good use of brownfield land’, and would generate extra car mileage.
But Pennbury was backed last week by Leicester City Council, while proposals by Leeds City Region for an urban eco town will be pursued separately. Leicester agreed to support the Co-op’s proposal for an eco town in Pennbury, subject to certain conditions being met, such as including a tram scheme.
The Campaign for Better Transport warned that unless government departments and transport authorities could be made to shift away from traditional transport planning, car-dependent eco town developments would result.
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