Midlands seminar weighs up eco-town proposals

Planning, 23 May 2008

Town and Country Planning Assocation chief executive Gideon Amos set out the background. His presentation discussed the transport issues surrounding movement to and from the settlements and the concept of walkable cities. Campaign to Protect Rural England West Midlands regional policy officer Gerald Kells emphasised that new towns do not exist in a vacuum and the programme was seen as a way to deliver housing growth rather than sustainable development.

Stansgate Planning principal planner Andy Murphy, representing the lobby group against the proposed eco-town at Long Marston, drew attention to the scepticism surrounding the bids. As a promoter of three of the shortlisted eco-towns, Barton Wilmore partner Mark Sitch emphasised that it was all about deliverability and the settlements were relatively small compared with the government's overall projected growth targets. Both speakers agreed that the merits of the scheme will be judged under the scrutiny of the planning system.

Questions from delegates raised issues of links to neighbouring settlements, whether eco-towns will make housing more affordable, and the potential to create exemplars of sustainable development. YPwestmids would like to thank everyone involved in the event, including the evening's high-calibre speakers and host DLA Piper.