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28 February 2009: Norwich Evening News Plea to join eco-town group Villagers are being sought to join a steering group that will give its views on plans for a 3,400-home eco-town just outside Norwich. Rackheath Parish Council is looking for people in the village to form the group so they can have their say about what facilities they would like to have should the proposed eco-community get planning permission. The appeal comes as the Department for Communities and Local Government announced the public consultation over its eco-town plans will now be extended by a month. People living in Rackheath, currently the favoured of the government's proposed eco-communities, are making preparations in advance of a formal application being submitted. Jacqui Whiley, parish clerk, said: “Although planning permission has not gone through for the eco-community, it would be a good idea for people in the village of Rackheath to have a say on what sort of facilities would be provided if 3,400 homes are built. “It would be a good idea if various residents to perhaps meet up and discuss what sort of things they might like to have, such as a village hall or community centre, and to get that in at ground level.” The eco-town has been earmarked as a way for council bosses to meet ambitious housing targets for the area over the next 25 years. Last year the Rackheath proposals were named as the government's most favoured eco-town plan, although there are still a lot of hurdles to be passed before the idea become anything more concrete. At the end of last week, the government announced that the public consultation, which was due to end this month, will now run until April 30. Developers behind the Rackheath eco-town have welcomed the setting up of a steering group and the extension. Paul Knowles, from Building Partnerships, which is taking the lead on the project together with Barratt Homes and climate change experts from the University of East Anglia, said: “At Rackheath we've always supported an open consultation. “The fact that the government has put its timescale back allows more time for people to consider the eco-town proposals which can only be good.” Earlier this month, Rackheath Parish Council published results from a questionnaire, showing that, from 174 responses, 71pc were against any development in the village, while 26pc said they would accept a smaller development. Assuming villagers have no option but to accept the development of housing, 50pc said they would prefer an eco-development, while 35pc would rather it took some other form. If you are interested in joining the steering group, contact Jacqui Whiley on 01603 432244. To take part in the consultation log on to www.communities.gov.uk |
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