DING DONG - THE WICKED MIDDLE QUINTON PROJECT IS DEAD!

Today, in a letter from Henry Cleary, Deputy Director of the Housing & Growth Programmes team within the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), to all affected local, district and regional authorities, it was announced that the plans for an eco-town development at Long Marston, in Warwickshire/Worcestershire have been abandoned.

In a clear u-turn from previous government policy, Mr Cleary states:

"In terms of going forward with eco-towns and eco-developments the Housing Minister has made clear that his priority is to see that plans are well supported locally and will achieve genuine improvements in sustainability. The Government will not designate or impose a solution on a particular area and will not support an eco- town if the local community are opposed to it."

This long-awaited decision is thoroughly welcomed by BARD and all its supporters. BARD has spent almost 3 years providing government with detailed, fact-based assessments of the transport, environmental, sustainability and social difficulties an eco-town would face in such an isolated and rural spot as Long Marston. From the outset, local people recognised the policy as a total dog's dinner. So, a hastily-convened coalition of local residents organised themselves into a campaigning group called BARD, and fought central government with every tool at their disposal, even challenging the eco-town programme through the courts.

Today's news is vindication of the Campaign's central message - Long Marston is the wrong place for major development.
David Bliss, Chairman of the BARD Campaign commented:

"At long last, some Government common sense. BARD volunteers have worked long and hard to protect the countryside surrounding Stratford-upon-Avon. I am so proud of all their efforts. In this, at least, local 'people power' did prevail.

"However, due the vote of certain councillors, obviously naïve to the long-term consequences of their decision, what was beautiful and tranquil countryside now faces the imposition of a new development of 800 dwellings. Don't be fooled - calling it a leisure village doesn't change the reality, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

"In BARD's view, the Council's planning decision back in December was a monumental failure of judgment for which, sadly, the environment and local residents will all pay the price."

-ENDS-

NB. A copy of Henry Cleary's letter to Stratford-on-Avon's District Council is available to download from the related media box on the right.