STRATFORD MP SPEAKS OUT AGAINST 'EXCESSES' OF ECOTOWN SCHEME

John Maples has welcomed the extension of the eco-town consultation until 30th April 2009 but, commenting on the current £3 million cost of the eco-town scheme, the local MP said, 'At a time when everyone is tightening their belts, it is frankly a scandal that this Government has spent such excessive amounts, even before one house has been built. With £1 million spent on PR and communications, we need to cut through the rhetoric and get to the cold hard facts.'

The £720,000 spent on financial assessments is particularly interesting. I have been pressing the Government to release the PWC report on the financial viability of Middle Quinton. There have been rumours that its publication is imminent and I would certainly welcome this development. We need to have an open debate about whether Middle Quinton is financially viable or not. The recent £373 million deficit in the CB Richard Ellis report would seem to suggest that it is not.

The Stratford MP also met with representatives of BARD last Friday to discuss their campaign to stop Middle Quinton. Signing a BARD postcard outside Stratford post office, John Maples said that the judicial review was not the end of the fight, ‘We may be down after the Judicial Review but we are certainly not out. I was disappointed to hear that BARD had lost their high court challenge but I believe the strength of feeling against the eco-town will win out.’

Yet again John Maples urged the people of Stratford to make their voices heard. 'I urge you to take action now by either:

• Filling out the online form on the 'Ecotowns: Have Your Say' DCLG website. This is for general comments on the eco-towns programme and is more straightforward - http://ecotownsyoursay.direct.gov.uk/

• Filling out the online consultation form on the DCLG website - http://ecotownssurvey.communities.gov.uk/home/.

Once you register go straight to Q6.2 to add your views on the Middle Quinton proposals.

• Writing to Margaret Beckett (Eco-towns Team, Department of Communities and Local Government, Zone 2/G9, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU)

• Signing and sending a BARD postcard which will be dropping through your letter-box any day now. If you haven’t received one then go to the BARD website. http://www.bardcampaign.com/

 • Emailing the Eco-towns team at ecotowns@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

This is our last chance before the shortlist to really make a stand. I ask that you take just a few moments to show the Government that we are determined to "make Middle Quinton history."