15
Sep
Lib Dems in anti-eco town motion
The Liberal Democrats have passed a motion opposing the
government's eco town plans.
A declaration that the government is "misleading" the public over
developments that only met "moderate" standards of environmental
friendliness was backed by delegates at the party's annual
conference in Bournemouth.
Instead, the motion argued, there should be a concentration on
providing more affordable rents and homeownership, building and
equipping new homes to higher energy efficient standards and
increasing planning accountability.
The latest indication of opposition to the scheme comes after last
week's decision by Judge Justice Collins to grant opponents of the
Middle Quinton eco-town scheme in Warwickshire a judicial
review.
Judge Collins had said the government's interest in the scheme
meant communities secretary Hazel Blears was likely to be "biased"
when making the final decision.
Should the pressure against eco towns succeed, the government may
introduce alternative plans to try to create more new green homes
for first-time buyers.
