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| Decision on 'eco-towns' delayed | Decision on 'eco-towns' delayed |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| Final approval will not be given to up to 10 "eco-towns" planned across England until early 2009 - three months later than originally forecast. | Final approval will not be given to up to 10 "eco-towns" planned across England until early 2009 - three months later than originally forecast. |
| This is because a second consultation stage will run from September until December, the Department for Communities and Local Government said. | This is because a second consultation stage will run from September until December, the Department for Communities and Local Government said. |
| Fifteen sites were proposed but two have since dropped out of the running. | Fifteen sites were proposed but two have since dropped out of the running. |
| Some critics think the plans may not be scrutinised properly, while others fear local infrastructures will not cope. | Some critics think the plans may not be scrutinised properly, while others fear local infrastructures will not cope. |
| There are strict criteria for the towns to ensure they meet certain environmental standards. | There are strict criteria for the towns to ensure they meet certain environmental standards. |
| At least one person per household should be able to have a car-free journey to work, while the average home should be within a 10-minute walk of "frequent" buses or trains plus shops and other services. | At least one person per household should be able to have a car-free journey to work, while the average home should be within a 10-minute walk of "frequent" buses or trains plus shops and other services. |
| 'ECO-TOWNS' SHORTLIST Bordon, HampshireColtishall, NorfolkElsenham, EssexFord, West SussexHanley Grange, CambridgeshireImerys, nr St Austell, CornwallLeeds city region, West YorkshireMarston Vale, BedfordshireMiddle Quinton, WarwickshirePennbury, LeicestershireRossington, South YorkshireRushcliffe, NottinghamshireWeston Otmoor, Oxfordshire Source: Department of Communities and Local Government The plans: Site-by-site | 'ECO-TOWNS' SHORTLIST Bordon, HampshireColtishall, NorfolkElsenham, EssexFord, West SussexHanley Grange, CambridgeshireImerys, nr St Austell, CornwallLeeds city region, West YorkshireMarston Vale, BedfordshireMiddle Quinton, WarwickshirePennbury, LeicestershireRossington, South YorkshireRushcliffe, NottinghamshireWeston Otmoor, Oxfordshire Source: Department of Communities and Local Government The plans: Site-by-site |
| Each town will have between 5,000 and 20,000 properties and must be "zero-carbon" overall. | Each town will have between 5,000 and 20,000 properties and must be "zero-carbon" overall. |
| The Local Government Association has said it disapproved of the government's role in drawing up and approving such schemes. | The Local Government Association has said it disapproved of the government's role in drawing up and approving such schemes. |
| It argued these powers should remain with councils as a way to ensure all proposals received "proper scrutiny". | It argued these powers should remain with councils as a way to ensure all proposals received "proper scrutiny". |
| The government has insisted applications will still go before local authorities and stressed eco-towns would have to comply with existing planning rules. | The government has insisted applications will still go before local authorities and stressed eco-towns would have to comply with existing planning rules. |
| After the final decision on potential locations was made in early 2009, "each scheme will have to submit planning applications", said a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government | After the final decision on potential locations was made in early 2009, "each scheme will have to submit planning applications", said a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government |
| The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that ministers were considering reducing the number of eco-towns but the DCLG spokesman added: "We have consistently said we are looking to build up to 10 eco-towns." | The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that ministers were considering reducing the number of eco-towns but the DCLG spokesman added: "We have consistently said we are looking to build up to 10 eco-towns." |
| For the Conservatives, shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said: "The one certainty is that confusion reigns at the heart of Labour's controversial eco-town project. | |
| "Local residents have been left in limbo as Caroline Flint performs U-turn on U-turn. | |
| "She must set out a clear timetable for the eco-town project and end the uncertainty hanging over local communities." |