Charity rejects eco-town land bid

Proposals for an 8,000-home eco-town in Cambridgeshire have suffered a set-back as a charity has refused to sell land for the project.

Medical research charity the Wellcome Trust owns 270 acres (109 ha) of land earmarked for the development at Hanley Grange, near the A11 and Duxford.

But the trust is refusing to sell after it was formally approached by developer Jarrow Investments Limited.

Developers said the 1,300 acre (525 ha) project was now uncertain.

'Careful consideration'

A spokesman for the trust said: "The Wellcome Trust was approached by Jarrow Investments Limited to consider becoming a partner in the Hanley Grange Eco-town submission.

"The Trust has given very careful consideration to the approach and has decided not to proceed with this proposal."

The plans for the development had included a secondary school, up to five primary schools, a health centre and a range of community facilities, shops and public spaces.

Nick West, project director of Hanley Grange, said: "We are naturally disappointed that Wellcome Trust has decided not to join us in exploring the opportunity for an Eco-town at Hanley Grange.

"The project team will now look at the potential options for moving forward, but no decisions have yet been made."