Tesco withdraws Cambridgeshire eco-town » Housing » 24dash.com

Hanley Grange in Cambridgeshire will not go forward in the eco-town process, it was announced today.

The decision follows key meetings between South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Horizons, and promoters of the project, Tesco.

Since the launch of the Government's eco-town programme, there has been strong local opposition to the proposal for an eco-town of around 6,700 homes known as Hanley Grange, at a site near Hinxton south of Sawston.

All the Cambridgeshire local authorities, local MPs, and Cambridgeshire Horizons have objected to Hanley Grange being on the eco-town shortlist, as have local residents.

Responding to these concerns, Tesco have today announced they will be withdrawing from the process.

Local authority opposition to the proposals for new development on the Hanley Grange site centred on the eco-town process bypassing the normal planning system, along with concerns about the suitability of the site itself and the threat that a large new development, on the timescales envisaged by the Government, would pose to existing planned development in the district, including the new town of Northstowe.
 
Councillor David Bard, SCDC portfolio holder for new communities, said: "I congratulate Tesco on their decision to withdraw from the eco-towns process following our joint discussions with them.

"We are very pleased that they now accept that the best way to proceed with planning for new developments in the district is through the existing planning mechanism of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

"Together with our partner authorities and Horizons, and alongside people from the area, we've worked hard to demonstrate the very real and tangible reasons why the eco-town proposal was a bad idea. Today's announcement is good news for us all."

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Matt Bradney, cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, said: "This is excellent news and follows on from our talks with Tesco where they were left in no doubt about our feelings on Hanley Grange being promoted through the eco-towns process.

"We have worked together to fight this proposal all the way and I thank Tesco for agreeing to now go through the proper planning process if they want to take this forward.

"We have always argued the eco-town process was flawed and ignored the correct procedures."

Alex Plant, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Horizons, said: "We have consistently objected to the eco-towns process, arguing instead that new developments beyond those already planned should come forward through the review of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).

"I am delighted that Tesco have listened to those concerns and withdrawn Hanley Grange from the eco-towns process. They will of course still be able to present any proposals through the proper planning processes."

Government proposals for eco-towns caused local authorities and local residents considerable concern and directed much needed resources away from serving residents and delivering planned developments.

Cambridgeshire's local authorities, local MPs, and Cambridgeshire Horizons all expressed the hope that Government will now concentrate on supporting councils to deliver environmentally friendly developments, such as Northstowe.

Meanwhile, the developer behind plans to build an eco-town of up to 10,000 homes on a former Norfolk RAF base has said he is seriously considering pulling out.

Richard Davies said he has "lost his appetite" for building a sustainable community on land at RAF Coltishall.

Mr Davies claimed local politicians "ganged up" against him and that future Governments may not support eco-towns.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "The whole point of developing a long list of potential locations was to get down to a shorter final list, and we remain committed to announcing this final shortlist of up to ten potential locations early in the New Year."

"There remains a serious shortage of housing in the Cambridge area with almost 10,000 families on the waiting list for affordable housing, and this is an issue that must be resolved.

"We have been clear that only proposals of the highest standards stand a chance of becoming an eco town.

"The promoters have decided they need more time to develop their proposal and we would expect it to be considered as part of the planned review of the Regional Spatial Strategy."

Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said: "Eco-towns started off as an idea that sounded good, but Labour's incompetent handling of the project has led to wide-scale distrust amongst the public and developers alike.

"Now even those who are behind the applications have decided that it is better to go it alone and forget the government sponsored eco-con scheme."

He accused ministers of "arrogantly ploughing ahead" with proposals which had been rejected by green groups, residents and developers.

Tesco's decision to drop the bid was welcomed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) which said it was "delighted" the supermarket had recognised the importance of working with local people through the planning process.

The eco-town scheme has drawn protests from residents who fear local democracy and planning processes are being undermined or that the towns will put pressure on infrastructure, public services and the environment.

Concerns had been raised about Hanley Grange's impact on on rare local wildlife, including great crested newts and water voles and a nearby wetland Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).