CPRE voices concern (From The Oxford Times)
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CPRE voices concern
11:58am Thursday 16th July 2009 in News By Sam Mcgregor
Dr Helena Whall
Helena Whall, campaign manager for CPRE Oxfordshire, said she was pleased the Government had “seen sense” over the Weston Otmoor proposal.
But she said the group had concerns over North West Bicester because more green fields would disappear and landowners and villagers were unhappy.
Dr Whall said: “It is also absolutely essential that any eco-town plans are brought forward and properly assessed through the normal development planning process.
“This has been a contentious and fundamental issue all the way through the Government’s lengthy consultations on the eco-towns.
“At last the DCLG, Department of Local Government and Communities, seem to have accepted in this final planning policy statement that the Government cannot by-pass established democratic systems.”
But she warned Oxfordshire CPRE would not support the development if the 5,000 new houses were not part of Cherwell’s allocation of 13,400 in the South East Plan for housing to 2026.
