Council checks 'eco-town' plans

Plans for a 15,000-home new town in Leicestershire are to be examined by county councillors.

Pennbury, south east of Leicester, is one of 15 so-called "eco-towns" shortlisted by the government. Up to 10 of these will get the go-ahead.

Representatives from the Co-Operative Group as well as housing and regeneration experts will be questioned by a scrutiny review panel.

A report will then be compiled on the plan's possible impact.

'Informed view'

The Campaign Against Stoughton Co-op Eco-town (Cascet) has vocally opposed the plan for the town, which would be near the village of Stoughton.

The local authority is looking into the planned town's effect on transport, local services and the need for school places.

Panel chairman Peter Roffey said: "The county council needs to take an informed view on the eco-town and its likely impact, before deciding whether to oppose or support it.

"That's why we are staging these private sessions, so that we can ask experts for their views and come to a reasoned conclusion.

"Although we are meeting in private session, our report will be made public when it goes to the cabinet later this year."

The cross-party Pennbury Transparency Group was set up in August to oppose the eco-town plans.

A decision from the government about the location of the new towns is expected in October.