The Panel reviewing the West Midlands RSS is examining the cases for an eco town such as ‘Middle Quinton’ in its revised development strategy for the region.  The EiP is being held at Molyneux Stadium, Wolverhampton.The BARD Campaign presented evidence that the proposed eco-town cannot, and should not, be incorporated into the RSS for the following reasons:

1. Middle Quinton would not be sustainable owing to its remote rural location. The town would be poorly linked to towns and cities and would experience high levels of car-dependency.

2. The proposal does not fit with the RSS because building a new town in this rural location directly opposes the region's policy of reducing the flow away from Major Urban Areas. Furthermore, the proposed location is outside all areas identified for regional investment so if forced through, would divert investment funds from genuine areas of need.

3. The proposal is not deliverable in terms of economic viability as demonstrated in an appraisal by the Joint Working Group of local authorities.

4. The proposal is not deliverable in terms of transportation without damaging the rural tranquility of the local area, the aspirations for World Class Stratford and the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

5. The proposed site is so small that the requirements demanded of an eco-town would result in a crammed, high density town and not the exemplar settlement it purports to be.

6. There are preferable alternatives such as urban eco-extensions in the District.

David Bliss, Chairman of the BARD Campaign said:

"We are confident that the Panel, mindful of strategic growth and investment in the region, will recognise, alongside all other neutral observers, that Long Marston is entirely the wrong location for an eco-town."

This week, in addition to the RSS Panel hearing, London's Appeal Court is hearing the BARD Campaign's application for permission to appeal against the Judicial Review findings (Wed 18 June). The JR, originally heard in January, questioned many aspects of the Government's eco-town consultation practices.

David Bliss said:

"We we remain convinced that the consultation on eco-towns was insufficient, ineffective and inequitable. It seems this is Government's view: given we might not like the answers, we'd better not ask the questions. That's no way to run a democracy, let alone a consultation process."

Ends

Full details of the BARD Campaign's response to the RSS Panel and/or details of the application for permission to appeal the Judicial Review decision are available on request.