Flint: Fewer than 10 eco-towns may be built

摘要

The government will not force through 10 eco-towns in the face of public opposition if proposed schemes do not make the grade, ministers have decided, writes Joey Gardiner. According to sources, the communities department will abandon plans to shortlist 10 eco-towns in October if their developers do not bring the schemes up to scratch. Housing minister Caroline Flint told Radio 4 this week that there would be "up to" 10 eco-towns and added it was possible that they would be built "over a period". A source said: "A consensus has emerged that these schemes must be genuine exemplars." Sources suggested that two schemes were in danger of being thrown off the programme. These were New Marston in Bedfordshire by Gallaghers and Curborough near Lichfield by Banks Developments.