AN INDEPENDENT report has been released criticising aspects of the Co-op's plan for a 15,000-home eco-town in Harborough district.
The 'Pennbury' eco-town proposal for farmland between Great Glen and Stoughton was earmarked as a potential site by the Government in April.
London-based planning consultants Halcrow were employed by Leicestershire county, Harborough district, Oad
by and Wigston borough and Leicester City councils to examine arguments over the plans.
Some of the key points highlighted were:
*Difficulty in attracting sufficient jobs for Pennbury
*More work is needed to relate the types and sizes of houses
*The relatively high density of housing proposed will make it difficult for the town to reflect the rural character of the surrounding area
*Significant investment in public transport is required
*The potential positive impact on regeneration and economic health of the Leicester City areaA joint statement on the Halcrow findings by the four councils said: "We will take the report as part of the basis for working together to continue dialogue with the Co-op. There remain many aspects of the proposals which require further work and clarification to show whether Pennbury could be a viable and suitable location."
Dr Kevin Feltham, chairman of campaign group CASCET which is against the eco-town, said: "This report from Halcrow is a real Christmas bonus to the campaign. The excellent, very thorough and far-reaching impact assessment of the Co-op's proposals exposes all the concerns that CASCET and councillors have been raising."
However, the Co-op was upbeat in light of the report, published on December 18.
Ruairidh Jackson, head of planning and property strategy for the Co-operative Group, said: "There is some really good material in this report about our proposals - it's great to see the benefits that we can deliver in terms of new jobs, new homes, new infrastructure, new approaches to cutting carbon, and new community facilities all being recognised and highlighted.
"We think this is very encouraging for us."
To view the report in full click on the link below:
http://www.harboroughonline.co.uk/pp/pressrelease/pressDetail.asp?ID=7726*Harborough MP Edward Garnier will be meeting the Government's housing minister on January 20 to discuss the eco-town.
