Villagers protest over eco-town

Willow Green would be close to the M62

Villagers in North Yorkshire fighting plans to build a 60,000-home eco-town near where they live have taken part in a protest.

The town, provisionally called Willow Green, may be built between Eggborough and Kellington.

The idea is part of a government scheme to create carbon-neutral homes across the country.

Campaigners argue the development would "decimate" the environment and their rural way of life.

James Poskitt, managing director of GMI Property - the company behind the plans - said it would help regenerate the area and provide jobs.

Increased traffic

Selby councillor John McCartney, who has helped organise the protest, said: "The walk will take place predominantly on public footpaths that will be stolen from us if the insane proposal goes ahead."

Protestors say the eco-town would increase the risk of local flooding and exacerbate traffic and pollution locally.

Jason Johnson, who lives in Kellington, said: "I chose to stay in the village and bring up my family here because of the kind of home life it could offer us - peaceful, picturesque, clean and safe.

"These eco-towns threaten to spoil all that. We already live on the main roads through the village and I have serious concerns about the levels of traffic, noise and pollution if another 60,000 people are shoe-horned around us."