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5 November 2008: Eastern Daily Press Huge boost for eco-town by Ed Foss The proposed Rackheath eco-community was yesterday named as a clear countrywide frontrunner by government officials who have given the plan top marks in an initial assessment. The 3,400-home proposal on the north-east edge of Norwich is the only one of 12 shortlisted eco- developments across the UK to score an 'A' rating for its suitability. At the same time officials formally dropped the controversial site at the former RAF Coltishall from the list, prompting cautious celebrations from locals - especially as the developer behind the plan said last night his scheme was not dead and buried. A Department for Communities and Local Government sustainability appraisal measuring the potential impact of each plan on the local community and environment scored 10 of the 12 plans at 'B' grade, one in Oxfordshire was given the lowest 'C' grade and Rackheath was the single 'A' grade. Dan Bridgett, head of external affairs at developers Barratt, said the government had recognised the “excellent location and transport links of Rackheath”. But anger at the 725-acre plan has been rising in Rackheath itself amid suggestions an action group will be formed to fight the proposal. Villager Sarah Eglington said: “This proposal is ridiculous, it's ugly and it's far too big, we're concerned about crime rising and people are very worried. They are talking about just over 3,000 homes but we are concerned that could rise to 5,000.” The government wants to build 10 eco-towns across the country, each of which would contain up to 20,000 homes and must be carbon zero. Rackheath has already received backing from local authorities and carbon reduction scientists from the UEA, with the developers pointing to a list of advantages including the site's proximity to a railway line, above average levels of wind to power turbines and the presence of an aquifer to provide water. Mid Norfolk MP Keith Simpson said he had an open mind about the proposal and had met people locally who were opposed, enthusiastic or simply resigned to it happening. “ What I see is a government which desperately needs to get two or three of these eco-towns up and running and Rackheath is the only one with an 'A' grade,” said Mr Simpson. “ That in turn tells me that we have the government over a barrel. They are really going to have to come up with the goods on this if they want to avoid a major row in the lead up to a general election.” Paul Thomas, spokesman for the Coltishall Eco-town Action Group (Cetag), said: “We clearly welcome the news that the former RAF base is no longer on the list, but it is a guarded welcome because there is no guarantee the site could not return to the list in the future. “ We were never against the idea of an eco-village with several hundred homes on the base, it was the size of the development at several thous-and houses which we were against.” Richard Davies, the developer behind the Coltishall plan, said his scheme still existed even if it was not on the shortlist. And he added: “The Rackheath plan will only ever be eco-ish, it is impossible for it to be anything else. They can't build an eco-town in the true sense.” North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb said: “While we have to remain ever vigilant, it seems common sense has prevailed with regard to the unsustainable Coltishall plan. And that comes as a great relief, most importantly to the horrified local communities.” A new public consultation on the proposed locations and the standards the eco-towns will have to meet will now be launched. The DCLG also published a draft planning policy statement, setting out the environmental and social standards it expects of the developments. The final shortlist for which proposals will get the go-ahead is expected in the new year, after which they will have to go through the normal planning process, DCLG said. A series of government roadshows will be held across the country, including at Roys of Wroxham on November 14 and at The Forum in Norwich on November 16. |
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