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From Cascet:
Shadow minister opposes eco-town
THE TORY shadow minister for housing attended the controversial Harborough district eco-town site yesterday (Monday) and spoke out against the scheme.
Hertfordshie MP Grant Shapps, the Conservative party's shadow minister for housing, visited the eco-town location between Stoughton and Great Glen yesterday (Monday, April 28).
He met several members of campaign group Cascet (Campaign Against the Stoughton Co-Op Eco-town) which is against the Co-op's plan including patron, Harborough MP Edward Garnier , chairman Dr Kevin Feltham and Harborough District Councillors Grahame Spendlove-Mason, Michael Rook and Steve Charlish, along with a number of other campaigners.
He was invited to stand on the observation area of the control tower at Leicestershire Aero Club in Stoughton where he was shown the extent of the land-holding by Co-operative Estates and the likely area which would form part of the new town
The airport is the principal brownfield element of the estate.
There was an excellent view across acres of fields towards Leicester and even Loughborough as well as the nearby rural villages of Thurnby, Bushby, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Little Stretton, Great Glen and Stoughton.
Mr Shapps remarked how close some of the new housing developments at Thurnby, Stoughton and Stretton Hall were to Leicester Airport.
He spoke to campaigners and clarified the position of the Conservative policy on eco-towns.
He stated that the Conservatives would be publishing a list of five or more locations, currently shortlisted, which they have researched and would not consider suitable for eco-town developments, confirming that the "Pennbury" site would certainly be amongst that group
He cited the lack of local support and complete absence of suitable transport infrastructure, as well as commenting that developing so close to a green wedge and other housing did not meet the Government's separation criteria, and that the brownfield element was minimal.
Dr Feltham said afterwards: "It was refreshing to listen to some clear policies and a promise that, should there be a different Government elected at the next General Election, probably in 2010, the Conservatives would definitely not support this location for an eco-town development.
"Grant Shapps and Edward Garnier urged CASCET to continue the fight and do everything to legally delay the planning process with the aim of ensuring final planning permission was not granted prior to that election.
"Grant Shapps also said he would be making this position clear to the Co-op.
"From a CASCET viewpoint, we are pleased to receive such a strong message of support which will greatly boost the morale of our campaigners.
"This must surely have repercussions for the Co-op and their risk assessment of the viability of this location."
Shadow minister opposes eco-town
THE TORY shadow minister for housing attended the controversial Harborough district eco-town site yesterday (Monday) and spoke out against the scheme.
Hertfordshie MP Grant Shapps, the Conservative party's shadow minister for housing, visited the eco-town location between Stoughton and Great Glen yesterday (Monday, April 28).
He met several members of campaign group Cascet (Campaign Against the Stoughton Co-Op Eco-town) which is against the Co-op's plan including patron, Harborough MP Edward Garnier , chairman Dr Kevin Feltham and Harborough District Councillors Grahame Spendlove-Mason, Michael Rook and Steve Charlish, along with a number of other campaigners.
He was invited to stand on the observation area of the control tower at Leicestershire Aero Club in Stoughton where he was shown the extent of the land-holding by Co-operative Estates and the likely area which would form part of the new town
The airport is the principal brownfield element of the estate.
There was an excellent view across acres of fields towards Leicester and even Loughborough as well as the nearby rural villages of Thurnby, Bushby, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Little Stretton, Great Glen and Stoughton.
Mr Shapps remarked how close some of the new housing developments at Thurnby, Stoughton and Stretton Hall were to Leicester Airport.
He spoke to campaigners and clarified the position of the Conservative policy on eco-towns.
He stated that the Conservatives would be publishing a list of five or more locations, currently shortlisted, which they have researched and would not consider suitable for eco-town developments, confirming that the "Pennbury" site would certainly be amongst that group
He cited the lack of local support and complete absence of suitable transport infrastructure, as well as commenting that developing so close to a green wedge and other housing did not meet the Government's separation criteria, and that the brownfield element was minimal.
Dr Feltham said afterwards: "It was refreshing to listen to some clear policies and a promise that, should there be a different Government elected at the next General Election, probably in 2010, the Conservatives would definitely not support this location for an eco-town development.
"Grant Shapps and Edward Garnier urged CASCET to continue the fight and do everything to legally delay the planning process with the aim of ensuring final planning permission was not granted prior to that election.
"Grant Shapps also said he would be making this position clear to the Co-op.
"From a CASCET viewpoint, we are pleased to receive such a strong message of support which will greatly boost the morale of our campaigners.
"This must surely have repercussions for the Co-op and their risk assessment of the viability of this location."
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