Eco-town 'unwanted'
COUNTRYSIDE campaigners last night condemned the Government's decision to back an eco-town in the Westcountry, warning the region's economy could be put at risk.
In a defiant criticism of the plans for a green community at St Austell, Cornwall, the Campaign to Protect Rural England dismissed the project as a "political statement" from the Government against the wishes of local people.
-
But supporters of the plan – promising 5,500 green homes and 5,000 jobs across six former clay mines – insist it could bring a major boost to the region.
Housing minister John Healey announced on Thursday that the St Austell bid, headed by mining firm Imerys, was one of just four eco-towns to receive Government backing. Gordon Brown said it meant Cornwall could "pioneer" ways of living in a more environmentally-friendly way.
However, CPRE Cornwall is "dismayed" by the "inappropriate" plans.
A campaign group dismissed the description that the proposal was "not an eco-town, but six eco-villages" adding there was "no need" for the development "because there is unlikely to be sufficient local employment opportunities".
Public transport was "limited" and the houses would come on top of thousands already proposed in the Regional Spatial Strategy planning blueprint.
Ted Venn, from CPRE Cornwall, said he thought the whole project was a "political statement".
"The Government is trying to show it's green and, as with wind farms, is imposing this on areas of the country just to prove it is committed.
"It is not taking into account what local people really want."
The Regional Spatial Strategy proposes around 70,000 more homes for Cornwall by 2026.
But Mr Venn said the eco-homes would be in addition, putting pressure on the environment.
"The whole combination of the eco-towns and the regional spatial strategy and the infrastructure that will be associated with it will destroy the natural environment of Cornwall. It will ruin the appeal of the tourist industry.
"We are not against change. We understand that houses have to be built, but not at great numbers to the detriment of the countryside and the tourist economy."
However, supporters of the bid insist it could be a major boost for both St Austell and the wider Westcountry.
Ashley Shopland, Imerys' UK kaolin operations director, said the project "will bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits" and vowed to work with public and private sector partners and the wider community, to agree details of the proposals.
And Coun Graeme Hicks, the Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport and planning, said there would be extensive local public consultation with an "immediate emphasis on community engagement".
The scheme is also "a priority area for investment" for the Regional Development Agency.
Clay mining firm Imerys has proposed 5,500 homes and 5,000 jobs in new communities across six former mines.
Powered by renewable energy, people living in the new houses would be able to work from home, drive electric cars and use enhanced public transport.
17 Comments
View all
by Dave Joslin, St Austell
Saturday, July 25 2009, 1:58PM
“I agree with Richard. This development is on derelict brown field land and as such is ideal for providing more housing. I would like to see some consideration given to the very poorly waged people of Cornwall over prosperous people from up country after a second home.”
by CarbonBoot, The Duchy Of Cornwall
Monday, July 20 2009, 9:25PM
“There is NOTHING green about this proposal to overload Cornwall even further with unnecessary houses.
There are around 20-30,000 residential houses in Cornwall that have been misappropriated and are being mis-used by non-residents for taking holidays.
Put THOSE back into RESIDENTIAL use and retrofit them with environmentally beneficial techonologies.
THAT is the 'green' way forward!
RESIDENTIAL Housing For RESIDENTS!
Tourist Accommodation For Tourists!”
by D Trethewen, Kernow
Monday, July 20 2009, 11:48AM
“This has probably been mentioned previously elsewhere but is there a danger these homes will become a new playing ground for the comparatively prosperous English? (primarily from the South East I expect)
These 'eco' schemes are without doubt trendy in this day and age but the priority must be Cornish homes for the poorer Cornish people! Otherwise, this will be yet another step in the dilution and eventual eradication of Cornwall as a Celtic nation.”
by Charles, Truro
Monday, July 20 2009, 11:32AM
“"Powered by renewable energy, people living in the new houses would be able to work from home, drive electric cars and use enhanced public transport." What a ridiculous comment. Its up to your employer whether or not you can work from home. Furthermore, where are the jobs for them? And anyone can drive an electric car or use public transport should they so wish... you dont have to live an eco house. Spin spin spin”
by Sam, Cornwall
Monday, July 20 2009, 11:29AM
“Bob, you seem to be under the illusion that these homes are to be designated 'affordable homes'. Sadly not. Who do you think will be buying the 'luxury homes' surrounding the new marina? I agree that Cornwall needs more affordable places for locals to live, but this proposal does not provide that. Second home anyone?”
by clare, St Austell
Monday, July 20 2009, 10:05AM
“Where the heck are these people going to work? It would be better developed as an industrial, manufacturing, or power generation site to provide jobs.”
by Henry, St Austell
Sunday, July 19 2009, 8:44PM
“As long as the infrastruture is improved with improvements in public transport then this has got to be great news for the area. Can the CPRE explain what is 'Rural' about disused mining areas and docks??”
by Barry, Redruth
Sunday, July 19 2009, 4:25PM
“I can only echo the sentiments of Shovellor 100%. I couldn't have written it better myself. Ghettos is the word. Something we do not want or should have foisted upon us.”
by Cyanotic, St. Ives
Sunday, July 19 2009, 2:43PM
“Unfortunately the people who propose these schemes have their heads in the clouds. Are these people going to magically create jobs out of thin air? Most would have to travel to work are the government going to invest in increasing the capacity of the roads in Cornwall which are already congested because of the massive increase in population already. The government has already admitted it has underfunded Cornwall's health service to the tune of £1 billion so it isn't likely to provide the money to cater for the increased demand on medical services. Then you would need all the othe facilities shops leisure facilities, who is going to provide these? Oh yes that's right, it's the Council taxpayer and to provide these services the tax will have to go up at above the rate of inflation. Another problem will be water supplies, you just cannot continue increasing the population on the same water capacity eventually shortages will occur is the water authority going to create more reservoirs, I know a good place to build the new reservoir in the old china clay pits!”
by ALAN GODFREY, PENZANCE
Sunday, July 19 2009, 2:29PM
“If the goverment reially wanted to show that they were green, they would have passed a law in Parliment a long time ago to make all developers build houses that have got SOLAR PANELS in them.”