Minister quizzed over eco-towns (From The Oxford Times)

Minister quizzed over eco-towns

6:33pm Thursday 5th March 2009

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HOUSING Minister Margaret Beckett tonight said there was “no done deal” over two controversial eco-towns in Oxfordshire.

She was in Bicester on a fact-finding mission after Cherwell District Council floated a proposal to create an eco-town in north west Bicester as an alternative to the Weston Otmoor plans being put forward for land at Weston-on-the-Green.

She met councillors and eco-town protesters, was given a presentation of what the north west Bicester eco-town could look like and also visited the site between Bicester and Bucknell.

During the meeting, she was left in no uncertain terms that before any eco-development in Bicester went ahead, the right infrastructure must be in place.

This included rail links and major improvements to junctions nine and 10 of the M40.

Mrs Beckett said: “We are committed to the fact we have to have substantial new housing across the country.

“We are generations behind having enough houses.”

But she stressed that if any of the proposals were not up to scratch, they would not go ahead.

Mrs Beckett added: “They will go through the planning process, there’s no done deal, there is no fixed number.

“We are not saying X number of eco- towns.

“If they don’t meet standards proposed, they will not get our backing.

“The Government’s role is to judge whether or not potential proposals could be eco-towns.

“Then it’s for local planners and communities to decide whether these proposals go ahead.”

Asked if she thought Weston Otmoor protesters were nimbys, she said: “I think everywhere in the country where ever a new development is proposed for housing there is naturally local concern.”

Banbury MP Tony Baldry said: “Everyone made it clear to Mrs Beckett that before any substantial housing goes ahead there are a number of important infrastructure issues that need to be sorted out, for example junctions nine and 10.

“There is a need for future housing — it’s better to have it adjoined to Bicester than as a stand alone community.”

Keith Watson, chairman of Bicester Chamber of Commerce, said: “We support housing in Bicester, provided it’s accompanied by infrastructure and subject to the planning process.

“Infrastructure is absolutely critical.”

Debbie Pickford, the leader of Bicester Town Council — which is supporting the development – said: “We have been able to get our feeling and views for Bicester across to Mrs Beckett face-to-face.”

The Government has selected 11 sites across the UK for potential eco-towns and up to 10 will be shortlisted.

Public consultation is due to close at the end of April and a shortlist is expected to be published in the summer.

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk

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