2:33pm Thursday 19th June 2008
THE eco-town' plan has been slammed as "Stalinist" by the Cotswolds' civic leader.
Cotswold District Council (CDC) leader, Cllr Lynden Stowe, spoke before today's (Thursday) CDC cabinet meeting that was to consider a recommendation that CDC join neighbouring councils in opposing the scheme.
The Bird Group will display the plans in an exhibition at Chipping Campden Town Hall from 10am until 5pm on Monday, June 23 before giving a presentation at a public meeting in the hall at 7.30pm that evening.
A report to the cabinet meeting recommended opposing the scheme on the grounds that planning procedures are not being followed, the possibility of constructing such developments in built-up areas has not been explored, and the impact on neighbouring communities has not been considered.
Objectors claim the proposal would add 15,000 vehicles daily to existing traffic on the B4632 road and the winding lanes to nearby Mickleton.
Cllr Stowe said: "These Stalinist proposals are from a control freak government that has lost the plot on rural issues. To develop that site properly would involve butchering the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)."
The Cotswolds' Conservative MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, said the Labour Government's reluctance to answer questions about eco-towns' forced him to submit a freedom of information request for the first time.
He said Mickleton would be the Cotswold settlement worst affected by the proposal, which would increase commuter traffic and need a new railway spur.
Mr Clifton-Brown said: "You couldn't find a rural site less suitable."
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk