Eco-town plan not in first wave

Campaigners claim the proposed new town would destroy countryside

Campaigners in Leicestershire are celebrating the news that plans for a new town have not been taken up.

The 15,000-home, carbon neutral town, known as Pennbury, had been put forward by the Co-op for a site at Stoughton village, near Leicester.

But the government has announced that four similar schemes in other parts of England have been selected.

Residents who opposed the plan said they were pleased but acknowledged more towns could be approved in the future.

County councillor Simon Galton said: "This is a major piece of news - but I would say that we have won the battle but not the war."

The development in south Leicestershire has faced fierce opposition since it was first proposed 18 months ago, with exhibitions picketed by protesters.

But the scheme was backed by Leicester City Council, which said there was a demand for the social housing included in the Pennbury blueprint.

A spokesman for the Co-op said it was still interested in developing the land in partnership with local councils.

The government is due to announce a second wave of developments next year.

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Residents react to news that the project will not go ahead