CPRE's eco town criticism praised

Campaigners against a proposed "eco town" in Warwickshire have welcomed a report claiming the government's planning process is flawed.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England said the government was usurping the role of planning authorities and distorting the planning process.

The government said it disagreed with the report and said a judicial review into the matter supported its plans.

The government has plans for an eco town to be built in Middle Quinton.

Dave Cranage from the Bard Campaign (Better Accessible Responsible Development), a campaign against the Middle Quinton development, said the government had gone outside the normal planning procedure and invited developers to apply to build new towns.

But a government spokesman said: "The judicial review into eco towns earlier this year, which the government won on all grounds, concluded that the government is "using rather than outflanking the planning system".

"We have made it absolutely clear throughout that the eco town promoters whose locations make our final shortlist will have to submit planning applications and these will have to be considered in the same way as any other major development proposal."

People have until the end of April to comment over Middle Quinton - one of 11 areas shortlisted as possible sites.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Eco towns your say
BARD Campaign
Department of Communities and Local Government
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