Lichfield MP, Michael Fabricant has said he is relieved that Curborough was not mentioned among the first four eco-towns announce by the Government.
John Healey, Minister of State for Housing and Planning has announce today (16th July) that four ‘pioneering’ eco-towns will be built across the country. The locations are Whitehill-Bordon, St Austell (Clay Country), Rackheath (Norwich) and North West Bicester, leaving out the proposed Curborough location.
Mr Fabricant had joined many local residents to campaign against the building of the eco-town. He said, “I strongly opposed the construction of the eco-town at Curborough and Fradley and the current ‘non-eco town’ application for 5,000 homes to be built there is even more inappropriate.
“I am relieved, however, that the Government has not attempted to re-impose their plans for an eco town in Fradley. A 5,000 home development between Lichfield and Fradley would put impossible strains on our roads, schools, and health service as well as destroying the countryside to the east of Lichfield.”
Curborough was originally identified as a site when it was suggested that 90% of the new homes could be built on the old Fradley aerodrome. This statement was challenged by Fabricant who said that 50% was to be built on Greenfield farmland. A formal apology was subsequently issued by the then housing minister.
It is not yet clear if Curborough will still face the prospect of an eco-town as the four announced today are to be the first eco-towns and it’s possible that more could be in the pipeline.
