Middle Quinton eco-town protesters lose court battle
Campaigners against a 6,000-home eco-town in Warwickshire have lost their High Court challenge over the government scheme.
Members of the Better Accessible Responsible Development (Bard) campaign failed in their bid to see the government’s eco-towns project derailed.
A judge rejected their complaint that there had been a failure to consult the public properly over the policy and Mr Justice Walker stressed the project was “at a relatively early stage” and there would be future opportunities for consultation.
Sitting at the High Court in London, he ruled the government had not followed unlawful procedures or attempted to “outflank” the planning system. He also rejected accusations that it had proceeded with “a closed mind”.
Developers St Modwen and the Bird Group have submitted plans to build the new town in Long Marston, which will be called Middle Quinton, but they have been vehemently opposed by the Bard group.
Chair of the Bard campaign, David Bliss, said: “We are disappointed but this is by no means the end of the road for Bard’s challenges to the Middle Quinton proposal.
“Labelling objectors Nimbies (Not in My Back Yard) is a lazy government response to a well thought out opposition to the current eco-town programme.
“No less than 47 national, regional and local representative bodies agree that poorly-sited new towns will neither meet their promised eco-agenda, nor provide affordable housing in places where people want to live.”
The judge refused the compaigners permission to appeal, saying that he had reached “clear conclusions” and they had no real prospect of success.
But the campaigners, who said they intend to fight on, can apply directly to the Court of Appeal for permission.
Mr Bliss added: “Our principle remains compelling – local people deserve to be properly consulted on government policies that directly impact them.
“Contrary to government assertions, we care deeply both about the environment and our communities.
“Experience from Europe suggests that the way to success is developing eco-quarters as part of urban extensions rather than building new towns in isolated rural spots and expecting them to be environmentally friendly solutions to the housing demand.
“Despite today’s ruling we hope the government will listen to local people and their democratically elected representatives before progressing with the programme.”
The government announced a shortlist of potential sites last April in its consultation document Eco-Towns: Living A Greener Future. The government’s consultation period is still open until the end of February. It will then announce the shortlist of eco town sites.
A spokeswoman for St. Modwen and the Bird Group said: “We are pleased that the ruling has gone in the government’s favour and we look forward to hearing the decision on the final eco-town shortlist in the coming months.”
