Minister snubs Eco town talks

A GOVERNMENT minister has refused to meet Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert and Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb to discuss proposals for an eco-town at Ford.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Feb 2008, 14:54 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:31 BST

The MPs wrote to Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears requesting a meeting last month. But Parmjit Dhanda MP, parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department for Communities and Local Government, replied saying: "I regret that at this stage in the process, I am unable to meet with you."

Mr Herbert said: "The Government is subverting the proper planning process. These eco-town proposals are being driven from Whitehall by ministers, yet they are refusing to meet elected representatives to discuss the issues. This is profoundly undemocratic.

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"We do need more homes, especially to help young people to get their foot on the property ladder, but this is not the way to do it. We already have a huge infrastructure deficit.

"Local authorities should have the power to make these decisions and ensure that development is sustainable."

Mr Gibb added: "Local people know the Ford area better than Whitehall mandarins and it's clear to us that this site is totally unsuited to new house building of the scale demanded by Government ministers.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette February 6

Related topics:FordBognor RegisLittlehampton