The Government’s plans for ten eco-towns have been referred for judicial review following a successful application to the High Court last week.
The Campaign Group Better Accessible Responsible Development (Bard) group is opposed to 6,000 new homes being built near Long Marston, Warwickshire. BARD argued in its application that the Government’s eco-town programme was "unlawful" and lacked "adequate consultation". The group was granted permission to argue its case against plans for Middle Quinton eco-town by the Honourable Mr Justice Collins who said:
“I have no doubt that this claim is arguable and so permission should be granted.”
Bard’s Chairman David Bliss commented
“The issue is quite simple. Large-scale local planning decisions should be left to local authorities with direct accountability to the people whose lives they impact. Over 47 national and regional expert bodies, campaign groups and locally elected representatives have expressed their widespread misgivings over this eco-town programme since its inception.”
A statement issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government said:
"We believe we have acted properly throughout this process and will defend this claim vigorously. "The Government remains of the view that the claim is premature in challenging an on-going consultation process."
David Bliss said:
"We trust the judicial review will conclude that the government's consultation process was both inadequate and deeply flawed."
The Government’s case will now be subject to a full hearing before the High Court by the end of the year.
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