Other statements - National politics

Julia Goldsworthy MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary): "The Government needs to rethink its eco-town policy. New homes are not enough - we need to build sustainable communities as well. [The CPRE] report raises real concerns about the environmental viability of eco-towns.

"What will the Government do to prevent these new developments simply becoming dormitory villages to Leicester, Cambridge or Stratford, with residents commuting to work by car every day?

"Gordon Brown's eco-towns are just a smokescreen for the Governments poverty of ambition. Why should just 7% of the new homes planned be sustainable?

"We need a much greater emphasis on brownfield development, providing much-needed new homes in our towns and cities, with community facilities and public transport nearby."

Edward Garnier MP: “if this is such a good idea, as the Government must believe it is, why have they discouraged discussion on the public stage?... Neither I, nor anyone else whose interests will be adversely affected by the proposals has any idea of how we can influence the decision... There is room for a good deal of confusion about what the Government collectively intend and the planning process that governs eco-town developments.”

Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP: “If they are towns without locals backing them, then they are not a good idea.”

John Maples MP: “I just don’t think the proposed site is appropriate. It has terrible transport links and I don’t believe it is environmentally-friendly in the way the Government claims. If the aim is to provide homes for Stratford residents, these will be people with jobs in Stratford who will end up driving to work and back from the new town.”

Peter Luff MP: “These eco-towns are a bright idea of Gordon Brown’s but I’m very sceptical as to whether or not they will be genuinely environmentally friendly, or just a way of dumping more houses on rural England.”

Michael Fabricant MP: “The eco-town concept is just an excuse to dictate housing policy from Westminster when it is local councils with local knowledge that should be taking these decisions”

Grant Shapps MP (Shadow Housing Minister): "Many of the proposals have already been rejected as standard sites, but now they are supposed to have magically transformed into green sustainable developments. Without proper transport infrastructure there will be negative effects on the environment.''

Caroline Flint MP (Housing Minister): "Successful schemes will need to show not only that they've fully involved the community in planning, but also that they will benefit through better transport, education or health services.

Nick Raynsford MP (Chairman of Construction Industry Council): “For eco-towns to work, they must be correctly located to meet the economic and social needs of particular areas, while at the same time meshing with local transport networks and avoiding adverse environmental impacts.”