Government backs eco-town investment plans
A Government report has backed the proposals for the billions of pounds of investment the Co-operative Group aims to make in Leicestershire as part of its eco-town plans.
A study, commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), was published yesterday.
The report says the Co-op's business plan for the development will deliver investment of up to £3.13 billion in housing, community facilities, schools and transport infrastructure. The Co-op wants to build the 15,000-home eco-town Pennbury on a 4,000-acre site between Stoughton and Great Glen.
The CLG's report, undertaken by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers, concludes the Co-op has created a sound base case for delivering the eco-town and related infrastructure, including transport.
It confirmed that the proposals could generate sufficient value to fund the scheme "without drawing on public subsidy".
Ruairidh Jackson, head of planning and property strategy for the Co-operative Group, said: "This is the type of investment that we think Leicester and the city region needs to meet its current challenges, to create a sustainable legacy and to go from strength to strength."
Kevin Feltham, chairman of Campaign Against Stoughton Co-op Eco-Town (Cascet) said there were issues left unanswered. He said: "We have to make sure they are looking at investment which is optional as well as the things that have been required.
"This has not addressed issues such as the moving of the airport and the infrastructure costs in London Road.
"So, until a thorough validation has been carried out on the Co-op's financial assumptions, Cascet will remain of the view that the plans for Pennbury are unworkable."
7 Comments
by K Clark, Fleckney
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 11:00AM
“A good by pass is currently around £1 1/2 billion, Dave. Has that been mentioned in the report?”
by Dave Stockley, Leicester
Friday, March 06 2009, 2:30PM
“Whaoo!!
15,000 is STILL a minority of Leicestershire residents - as I've said before - most are against or show they don't care by not joining in!!
Of course Government backed reports support proposals as CASCET backed reports oppose it - so what does that prove?”
by Daniel, Leicester
Friday, March 06 2009, 12:57PM
“Right or wrong! it does seem that independent reports say its 'unsustainable' but the ones arranged by the CLG say its 'great!' I think we already knew they would say that! its pretty obvious and meaningless as its the CLG that want the development! its like Macdonalds comissioning a report from Macdonalds to say there food is healthy! everyone can see straight through it... I have signed the petition against this and truly hope that common sense will prevail in the end.”
by Mr LFE, LFE
Friday, March 06 2009, 12:47PM
“Obviously there¿s a few who think it¿s a good idea and yes, it outweighs the ones who oppose of it, but, as we can see that Eco Worrier keeps banging on about this being wrong, that being wrong, it¿s all wrong etc. is it now looks as if all of this ¿I¿m preaching to you about all of this being wrong¿ has took a massive back-step after this news.
As the old saying goes ¿ ¿you¿re on a hiding to nothing¿, ¿you¿re flogging a dead horse¿, and ¿you¿re being a busy fool¿.
You can say all you like about ¿this is wrong¿ (you get the idea), read the above ¿ the bit that says ¿A Government report has backed the proposals for the billions of pounds of investment the Co-operative Group aims to make in Leicestershire as part of its eco-town plans.¿
Yours in NIMBY...(your tag - not mine) !”
by Callum, Leicester
Friday, March 06 2009, 12:31PM
“Dave
The number of people objecting to this outnumbers the people who wish it to go ahead. Have you not been reading what the experts are saying? the only people who want this to go ahead is the Co-op (for obvious reasons £££) the government and a minority of people who think they are going to get bargain basement housing. Time to take off your rose tinted glasses...”
by Ecowarrior, Leicestershire
Friday, March 06 2009, 12:30PM
“Mr Stockley : you should be aware that over 15,000 people have signed the petition against this grotesque proposal, so a few more than 200 people are opposed. to it. Hav eyou actually read th ereport ? I have and it is full of untested assumptions and wide-ranging caveats : the authors are saying they don't know how thing might turn out over 30 years. They are paid by the government and so would hardly be permitted to come out against government policy would they ?”
by Dave Stockley, Leicester
Friday, March 06 2009, 12:13PM
“Excellent news.
Wonder what the 200 protesters will make of this.
The airport facilities could easily be merged with Bruntingthorpe.
I agree that infrastructure issues need sorting and the Coop should provide these as part of the development to ease the already congested area. Nothing a good bypass wont solve.”