Green light for Cornwall's 'eco-town'
CORNWALL'S eco-town plans was today given the go-ahead.
Clay mining firm Imerys has proposed building more than 5,000 homes across six former mines around St Austell in a unique chain of green communities.
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The St Austell plan is one of four confirmed this morning by housing minister John Healey in a statement to Parliament.
The others include Rackheath, Norfolk, Whitehill Bordon, East Hampshire and north west Bicester.
Unlike many of the alternative proposals, the Cornwall bid has attracted little public opposition and is seen as a frontrunner to be given the green light.
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However, earlier this year government advisers warned the taxpayer could be forced to plug a £190 million funding gap in the St Austell plan.
A report to ministers said it would need "substantial levels of public subsidy" in order to go ahead.
Mr Healey announced the eco-town programme has been scaled down after criticism from the Tories, environmental groups and residents in some of the areas affected.
There were widespread concerns over impacts on the planning system, transport links, jobs provision, the environmental impacts of the sites and whether they can actually deliver the green, affordable housing that is promised.
The environmentally-friendly new towns were the first major policy announced by Gordon Brown as he launched his bid to take over as Prime Minister in 2007.
For more see Friday's Western Morning News and next week's the Cornish Guardian.
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by Pat, St Austell
Friday, July 17 2009, 9:06PM
“Reg, please keep your disillusioned and slightly paranoid opinions in Portugal! We al remember the complete mess the tories made of this country - they are tough times globally not just in Cornwall! At least the government is doing what it can for the majority - not just the few who will be living in the Penthouse suites at the Par Marina!!”
by A Local, Falmouth
Friday, July 17 2009, 8:57PM
“GREEN FOR ST AUSTELL? What's green about 5.000 properties being built in a clay pit miles from anywhere? 10.000 extra cars travelling to the St Austell petrol station. "Very Green," that's a nice safe road from the clay pits to St Austell. Newquay is mainly for seasonal employment. St Austell good for an extra few thousand jobs right now? I don't think so! Come on people, wake up, this is an arrogant political smoke screen. Enough of these idiots taking us for idiots. Get them out of power, and put Cameron on his toes working for progress. Cameron will put an end to this rubbish straight away. Has anyone given any thought at all to Labour running this laughable show for nearly 20 years, so if they are to be trusted, why is it we need 15.700 homes to be built before 2016?.”
by Reg, Portugal
Friday, July 17 2009, 12:17PM
“L Smith - you're absolutely right. It happened before within the South East when government then "redistributed" the South Easterners to Cornwall (and by the way they were paid handsomely to shift as well!) - just listen in the supermarket etc aisles. This is nothing to do with "proper" local people at all. Brown and his cronies have to go - they have ruined the Great Britain that once was and now, if allowed, will ruin the South West. They must be ousted at the earliest oppportunity.”
by L Smith, Cornwall
Friday, July 17 2009, 11:42AM
“The reality is that new housing developments in Cornwall are heavily marketed in 'certain areas' of inner city England - I'm sure you can read between the lines on that one!”
by Reg, Portugal
Friday, July 17 2009, 11:37AM
“All those who think this is a good idea, put your hands up and go to the back of the class. The current infrastructure cannot cope now, how the hell do you think another 10000+ people will manage to be inculcated into the current emotional, financial and pollitical strategies? There's not enough money for what's there, let alone add further burdens to the infrastructure - don't forget this includes: roads, doctors, dentists, schools, shops, all the gas, water and electric utilities, council requirements; social services, rubbish clearance and dumping etc etc - come on. Cameron get in and get these ideas out!”