Countryside campaigners CPRE [1] welcome the decision by Mr Justice Collins to carry out a judicial review [2] of the Government’s eco-towns programme.

Kate Gordon, CPRE’s senior planner, said:

‘This situation could have been avoided had the Government thought through its eco-towns programme properly to start with.  The way the Government has gone about designating eco-towns, by-passing established planning procedures, we believe to be fundamentally flawed. It is worrying that the Government appears to have little confidence in local communities or in its own planning system.’

Kate Gordon concluded:

‘We look forward to the High Court’s decision later this year.’

– END –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. Campaign group BARD launched an application for Judicial Review in June. The group is campaigning against the proposed 'Middle Quinton' eco-town in Warwickshire. Mr Justice Collins who granted permission for the review said yesterday ‘I have no doubt that this claim is arguable and so permission should be granted’ and that “I note there must be concern that the defendant [Secretary of State, Communities & Local Government] may have disqualified herself from considering any planning application for an eco-town because of perceived bias in its favour.” For further information www.bardcampaign.com