CPRE hits back at DCLG comments

Michael Donnelly, PlanningResource, 1 July 2008

Commenting on the CPRE’s call for a radical rethink of the eco-town plan, the DCLG spokesperson was reported in The Daily Telegraph as saying: This is the CPRE reverting to type, opposing the housing that young families and first-time buyers need. It is a shame that CPRE are preferring to perpetuate myths rather than engaging in the debate about how we build the houses we need.
 
CPRE head of planning, Marina Pacheco said: "We are disappointed that the minister has responded to our call for a re-think on the eco-towns programme by attacking our credentials.
 
"We strongly support affordable housing in the countryside and have done considerable research on the topic. We support the Rural Affordable Housing Commission’s call for 7,700 affordable social rented homes to be provided in rural areas.

"Far from perpetuating myths, we are seriously engaging with the debate over new housing. We would love to speak to Caroline Flint in person about our concerns. Unfortunately, we’ve written to her requesting a meeting on more than one occasion over the past six months, but have yet to receive a response.
 
"Pacheco continued: As for myth-making, we’re concerned that government pledges on eco-towns are turning out to be the myths. If more people knew more of the reality of eco-towns on the ground then the reported 46% of people polled as supportive of the schemes would drop off."