Councils Delight At Eco-Town
Decision
Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council is delighted with the news
that Pochin Plc, who had made a bid to the Government for an
Eco-Town at Wardle/Barbridge, have withdrawn their application on
20th February 2008.
The proposal sought to build a new town of
between 6000-7000 new dwellings.
This would have been contrary to the Borough
Council’s local plan policies. Based on these considerations
the Borough Council’s Board opposes any proposal for an Eco-Town
within the confines of the Borough.
A public statement made by Cheshire MP Stephen
O’Brien said: “I warmly welcome the statement by Pochin’s plc, who
had made the Eco Town proposal at Wardle/Barbridge. As a
responsible company and good neighbour they have been exemplary in
listening to the people in the communities in which they
operate. They have now done the right thing both for my
constituents and their own good reputation in withdrawing this
proposal. I am contacting the Secretary of State today to
seek her confirmation that this bid will now no longer form part of
her considerations.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Brian Silvester
said: “I’m pleased that good sense has prevailed. We
understand that Pochin Plc, as a responsible local employer have
chosen to withdraw this because of feedback from concerned
residents.”
He added: “The Borough Council is fully
committed to sustainable development as a key part of environmental
concerns. Giving this proposal our full consideration the
Board felt that, in this instance, the impact on local
infrastructure and environment could not be justified mainly
because of the sheer scale of the development. In addition,
the Board stated that, within the confines of the Borough there
were no other suitable locations for an Eco-Town.”
ENDS
0032/jv
25th February 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: Jo Vause - 01270 537018
news.views@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
Notes to the
Editor:
- The reasons against the Eco-Town
proposal are:
- The sheer scale of the
development.
- The site is mostly greenfield, although one
of the Government’s stipulations is the Government requires that
“wherever there are good opportunities to do so, schemes should
make use of suitable surplus public sector land, or brownfield
land.”
- There remain concerns about the capacity of
the A51 in this area, which is an important sub-regional route
linking the M6 and North Wales.
- A new railway station or halt would be
required.
- The Council had already expressed concern
that no direct public consultation had taken place over the Wardle
bid.
- The other concern related to whether the
Borough’s housing figures in the Regional Spatial Strategy be
affected.