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'Eco-town' still means thousands of new homes
Town Hall offers mixed reception to Government plans for the Marston Vale.
Plans to build more than 15,000 homes in two new eco-towns in Mid Beds were given a mixed reception at Town Hall on Monday night.
At a meeting of Bedford Borough Council's cabinet, Mayor Frank Branston reported on his meeting earlier that day with Caroline Flint, the minister of state for housing and planning.
He said: "There was a demonstration from local residents, basically because they don't want a lot of new homes being built, but also because they were querying whether these would really be eco-towns.
"Most of the people who were present picked up on similar points. A major one was that this scheme should not be in addition to existing plans for new homes in the area.
"The minister almost made a promise that there would be an offset. After which the civil servant present made the point that the requirement for housing was a moving feast.
"So while they almost made that promise, they then said that more new homes could be added on over the years. They said that they could do it, but they didn't say that they would do it."
Coun Apu Bagchi, portfolio holder for partnerships, twinning and transport, was enthusiastic about the scheme.
He said: "We have to be seen to believe in eco-living and the eco-idea. If we don't it will be absolutely terrible.
"There are many imponderables and problems but we need to send out a message. We can't simply have forced repatriation of people to live up north. We have to be pragmatic as well as far-sighted, so we should really embrace this idea."
Coun Nicky Attenborough, portfolio holder for unitary status was less welcoming.
She said: "Apu, you raise my faith in human nature. How nice to find someone who believes what this Government tells them. 'Eco' is a very good word at the moment. If you say 'eco', everyone agrees with it. 'Eco' they may be, but it still means building thousands of new homes."
Eco-town minister 'runs for cover'
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Friday 25 May 2012
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