Ecotowns declared 'illegal'

24/07/2008

The government's planned ecotown developments have been branded 'illegal' by local government lawyers, the Guardian has reported.

Local Government Association's lawyers have claimed that the government, by acting outside of normal planning regulations, is doing so "to avoid the system due to the proper need for scrutiny, which takes time".

The allegations followed earlier complaints from local celebrities, residents and observers who have raised several issues with the initiative.

In constructing the new environmentally-friendly towns, the government will help boost construction jobs, recently hit by a down turn in house building.

Caroline Flint, housing minister, is expected to reveal the next phase of the development today.

The Guardian has reported she will announce: "We need to build more homes in this country, but given housing contributes 27 per cent of our carbon emissions, we must also take this opportunity to trial new ways of tackling climate change."

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