Eco-town controversy rages on

The debate surrounding the government's controversial eco-town proposals shows no sign of dying down today, with the Tories pledging to scrap the scheme.

Gordon Brown has outline proposals for ten new-town developments, designed to assist the government in meeting both new-build home and environmental targets.

However, the schemes have been consistently mired in sometimes hysterical debate, with local residents at proposed sites particularly vocal.

Now Grant Shapps, the Conservative shadow minister for housing, has pledged a Tory government would scrap the plans should they win power at the next election – saying they will "never see the light of day".

"So-called eco-towns have become an eco-con mired in controversy and utterly discredited. Gordon Brown’s brainchild has descended into a farce," argued Mr Shapps.

"We cannot support a scheme that’s been exposed as a green sham and won’t come even remotely near to building large numbers of genuinely eco-friendly homes.

"The public have been duped. I think it is fair to say that eco-towns will now never see the light of day."

However, a YouGov poll found 46 per cent in support of the proposals and only nine per cent opposed, although more than a third (34 per cent) offered no opinion either way.

Support dropped to 34 per cent when people were questioned if they would back an eco-town within five miles of their home - with 15 per cent objecting.

In defence of the policy, housing and planning minister, Caroline Flint, said: "We recognise that some people do have concerns, and I am listening to those concerns, which is why I will be meeting with representatives of these groups.

"But it's important that all voices are heard in this debate - not just those who shout loudest, but also the thousands of people on the waiting list for affordable housing."

Ms Flint was speaking as the second stage of consultation on the proposals was beginning – attracting a handful of protestors to parliament yesterday.

However, some industry insiders have moved to support the Tory stance on the proposed developments – of which ten will be built from a shortlist of 15.

"Mr Shapps is right when he comments on the failure of the government’s top down approach to house building and the importance of working with local communities," said Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

"With house building at its lowest level since the end of the Second World War we desperately need all the encouragement we can get to get house building back on its feet.

"Our housing needs would be best served by more incentives to promote small scale new housing developments which focus on existing neighbourhoods, villages and towns, as opposed to creating new settlements," he concluded.

Chris O'Toole