Housing Minister on fact-finding mission to Norfolk eco-town site

Housing Minister Caroline Flint today met local councillors, residents, developers and the local MP to discuss the proposed eco-town at the former RAF Coltishall site in Norfolk.

As part of her fact-finding mission to discover more about the suggested site for an eco-town, she grilled developers about their plans and talked to local councillors about their concerns for the programme.

Speaking after her visit, Caroline Flint said: "It has been very important for me today to hear the views of different groups, and to see the proposed site for myself.

"I hope these meetings have helped to quell some of the myths that have been circulating.

"There is certainly no "done deal" for developers, and I think today's meeting has helped underline that fact.

"There is clearly a need for more housing in the region, but we are currently in the first of two consultations before deciding up to ten potential locations for eco-towns across the country.

"If Coltishall makes that final shortlist, the developers will still need to go through the planning process, and will be subject to full public consultation."

A 5,000 home eco-town has been proposed for former RAF Coltishall site in an area, according to the Government, of 'very high affordability pressure'. The proposal includes 2,000 affordable homes.

Today at RAF Coltishall the Housing Minister met with representatives from North Norfolk District Council, Broadlands District Council, Norfolk County Council, and local parish councillors, as well as the Coltishall Group developers and the local MP.

A consultation on the principle of an eco-town at each location closes next week. Next month the Government will consult on a detailed assessment of each location and the proposed standards that an eco-town would have to meet.

A final shortlist of up to ten potential sites will be announced later this year, and these schemes will then go through the full planning process.