Julian Lloyd Webber backs BARD campaign

On the day Housing Minister Caroline Flint MP visits Stratford & Wychavon Districts and the former Royal Engineers depot at Long Marston, the celebrated cellist Julian Lloyd Webber announces his support for the BARD Campaign. 

He joins a growing number of high-profile individuals to single out Middle Quinton as a flawed concept, such as Dame Judi Dench, Jilly Cooper, John Nettles and Johnny Herbert.

Mr Lloyd Webber says: “To me the whole 'eco town' pretence is just a way to dodge legitimate planning restrictions.

“There is no decent public transport infrastructure to support this half-baked scheme which means that would-be residents will be heavily reliant on their cars. Where's the 'eco' in that? 

“That is why I whole heartedly support the time, energy, effort and resources that BARD has dedicated to demonstrating to Government why an eco-town at Long Marston is unworkable.”

David Bliss, Chairman of the BARD Campaign said of Mr Lloyd Webber’s support:

“We are delighted that Julian has taken time out of his extremely busy schedule to publicly declare his opposition to an eco-town at Long Marston.  His is yet another voice, attuned that of our 14000 petitioners and high-profile supporters, all with one simple message – an eco-town here will not work.

“At our meeting, we shall remind Mrs Flint that our detailed arguments are based on a thorough factual analysis both of the site and the infrastructure needed to develop an eco-town here. A development on this scale at Long Marston will be hugely costly – in both financial and environmental terms. 

“The Government should instead focus these much needed funds towards indentified areas requiring regeneration, building eco-quarters where the homes are wanted and needed and importantly, are linked to existing infrastructure.

Development at Long Marston should return to the Masterplan which pre-dates the eco-town charade, which was intended for mixed use development on that site to include around 500 homes, of which 50% should be affordable, designed to fulfil local need.”

For further information, please contact:

Bell Yard Communications     Katie Hatcher 020 7936 2021 m: 07811402997

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