Plans for nearly 50,000 new homes in 'eco-towns' in the East of England are "unacceptable", according to the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).

The Assembly is concerned that the planning system is being bypassed and that the proposals for 'eco-towns' in the region are not sustainable.

Proposals for two eco-towns in the Marston Vale with up to 15,000 homes are still live, even though one of the master developers, Gallagher Estate, withdrew from the process last week.

Responding to the eco-towns public consultation, the Assembly raised concerns that the new homes are not well linked to jobs and public transport and could become dormitory towns with high levels of commuting by car.

Coun Derrick Ashley, chairman of the Assembly's planning panel, said: "Government should halt this dash for eco-towns before more money and effort is wasted. The public want high environmental standards for all new housing, not speculative development in unsuitable locations.

"Proposals for new settlements in the region should be decided through the Assembly by local councils and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth in appropriate locations."

Under this system, EERA has already planned two new settlements at Northstowe in Cambridgeshire and The Wixams in Bedfordshire as part of the East of England Plan, the regional development blueprint up to 2021.

The Assembly believes that the eco-town decision-making process should be transferred to its review of the East of England Plan which will identify the region's housing needs up to 2031.