West country eco town under pressure

The only proposed eco town in the south-west of England is facing pressure to improve its blueprint if it is to have a chance of making the final ten that are approved to be built.

Cornwall's Imerys China Clay Community scheme, which involves building around six adjacent sites currently occupied by china clay pits produced by local mineworkings, was one of the schemes told to resolve some outstanding issues by a panel set up to assess the bids by housing minister Caroline Flint, the BBC reports.

Criticisms include a lack of sufficient alternatives to motor transport and a lack of clarity over who "owns the vision for the town".

In response Imerys said the scheme would "utilise Imerys' global expertise in the innovative use of building materials", as well as adopting renewable energy and integrating housing with employment and economic development.

Should the Imerys scheme be dropped from the list there will be no eco town in the south-west, which may prompt those living in the region who want to live a greener lifestyle to self build their own.

In another eco towns development, the Town and Country Planning Association has called for any proposal that is not already part of a development plan to be subject to a public enquiry.