ECO-TOWN plans came under the spotlight this week, when allegations were made that Government ministers want to short cut planning processes to fast track housebuilding. It was announced in April that Whitehill and Bordon had been shortlisted, by the Government, as a potential eco-town and, as a result, could have up to 5,500 energy-efficient homes built on ex- Ministry of Defence land. However, since the national shortlist was announced, the plans have attracted varying responses from councillors and residents across the country. In a report in The Times newspaper, on May 18, it was reported that, according to a Government adviser, ministers were "plotting to crash the planning process" for the new eco-towns, "restricting the opportunity for residents to object". Liberal Democrat county councillor for Whitehill and Bordon, Adam Carew, said this week: "It's common knowledge that eco-towns are Gordon Brown's big idea and he has tasked housing minister Caroline Flint with rushing these through before the next election. "Gordon Brown needs these projects to be a major success and there is no question significant investment will follow. "If the bid is successful, it will trigger the investment to help get Whitehill and Bordon the facilities, infrastructure, transport, employment and educational facilities we so badly need. "The key issue will be housing levels and greenfield sites." It was also reported in The Times that Professor David Lock, who chairs the UK Town and Country Planning Association, claimed that the communities department wanted to rush through the eco-town applications. Mr Lock claimed that Ms Flint intends to "cut out a whole lot of processes" to ensure that five of the towns are completed by 2016. However, Ms Flint has since denied the claims. She said: "Communities will play a key role in the decision-making process for eco-towns and there will be intensive consultation locally, with only the very best proposals going forward. "No decisions have been made and, if bidders do progress further, they will be subject to the local planning process, which includes full public scrutiny. "The Town and County Planning Association is backing the plans to deliver thousands more affordable houses for young families and first-time buyers in housing need." This latest criticism over the handling of the planned eco-towns follow earlier concerns that the proposed 5,500 houses is too great for Bordon and Whitehill, and would result in a significant loss of greenfield sites in the area. Mr Carew said: "There are still major concerns locally about our greenfield sites but, with revised housing density, we are now told it should be possible to get up to 4,000 houses on the brownfield sites. "We already have a promise there will be no housing at Hollywater and Standford, which is great news." However, concerns for wildlife have also been flagged up, with 60 per cent of Whitehill parish protected for wildlife and containing nationally and internationally designated Specially Protected Areas. As a result of this, the Government-appointed body Natural England has stated that the final housing levels should not be concluded until a Habitat Regulation Assessment and Environ-ment Impact Assessment have been conducted. As the Ministry of Defence prepares to leave the town within the next four years, it is expected that Whitehill and Bordon will see a high level of development, regardless of the outcome of the eco-town bid. Ahead of this development, which is also known as the Whitehill-Bordon Opportunity, a series of ecological surveys are ongoing within the town. Mr Carew said: "Not to plan for when the Army leaves would just result in houses without facilities and more piecemeal development. "This project was always going to be a balance. "We urgently need new facilities and infrastructure, but we also value our green spaces and countryside feel - that is why we have our Green Town Vision and this must stay central to all we do." A public meeting, as part of the public consultation on the eco-town bid, is due to be announced shortly. Mr Carew added: "This is the most important thing to happen to our town in decades and I urge people to get involved and have their say." The deputy leader of the Conservative-led East Hampshire District Council, David Parkinson, said no Conservative members would be available for comment, at the time of going to press, on the implications of The Times report for Bordon and Whitehill.
