Eco town plan in trouble

A proposed eco-town in Cambridgeshire on the government's shortlist of 15 has run up against opposition from local residents who are sceptical about its ability to meet one of the key criteria for such towns.

While the eco towns are meant to be able to tackle issues of supply, affordability and climate change, they are not supposed to be commuter towns, reports the Cambridge News.

However, locals have argued that a commuter town is what the proposed 8,000 home development near Hinxton will become.

Local resident Viv Ellis said: "It will undoubtedly become a commuter town being so close to London. I know myself as a teacher in London how convenient Hinxton is."

A public meeting pronounced against the plan and South Cambridgeshire district councillor Tim Stone vowed to send a "robust message" of opposition to the government.

It is one of several cases of shortlisted sites being opposed since the list of 15 was published earlier this month, with other examples including a protest in Harborough against the possible use of land owned by the Co-op for one of the potential eco towns nearby, the Harborough Mail reported last week.

Should such protests damage the prospects of eco towns being built in these areas, those hoping to dwell in such a building there could seek to do it all themselves by using the self build method to create their own eco home.


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