Eco-towns shortlist delayed
- Published: 19 August 2008 12:54
- Author: James Illman
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 29 August 2008 16:06
The government has been forced to delay the publication of its eco-town shortlist, it has emerged.
The list of up to ten locations was due to be unveiled in October but councils will now have to wait until early 2009 to find out which potential projects have made the cut.
The news follows a tough summer for the programme, with local government support crumbling and increasing criticism from the public and developers.
Arun and North Norfolk DCs became the latest councils to officially reject plans in their jurisdiction last month, leaving East Hampshire DC as the only council backing proposals for an eco-town on its patch.
Other recent setbacks include the project team for Rossington's eco town (in Doncaster MBC) scaling back the development from 15,000 new homes to just 5,000.
A Department for communities & local government spokesman said: "The final decision on the potential locations for eco-towns will be made in early 2009, after which each scheme will have to submit planning applications."
The government had included a line in its July publication Eco-towns living a greener future: progress report but it went unreported.
