MPs challenge minister over eco-town proposals

They met Mrs Beckett, the housing minister, just before the deadline for comments about the intended 5,000 home scheme closed.

The session allowed them to talk about overwhelming opposition to the scheme from residents, councils and businesses.

It followed occasions where the MPs for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, and Arundel and South Downs have tackled Mrs Beckett in the Commons.

Mrs Beckett told the MPs she had no set figure of eco-towns to announce later in the summer. It would be based on how many of the 11 sites met the required standard.

She conceded issues, such as transport which she called 'particularly difficult', had to be addressed if a major development was built in Ford.

She confirmed that, if the eco-town was backed, its housing could be taken from the Arun district's 11,300 target for new homes.

She suggested the district council would still have the right to reject the plans if they made the shortlist. But this was queried by the MPs who are seeking clarification.

Mr Herbert said no answer seemed to exist about why the government should dictate where the council should decide the location of new housing.

"We are all desperately hoping Ford will be knocked off the final list when it is published later this summer," he stated.

Mr Gibb added: "I hope the end of the consultation process will also mark the end of more than a year of uncertainty and worry for

the communities and villages of Yapton, Ford and Climping about whether their beautiful environment will be concreted over by a so-called eco-town."

The MPs presented a joint submission to the government as part of its consultation in which they repeated their strong opposition to the proposal.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP