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Hundreds attend 'eco-town' march | Hundreds attend 'eco-town' march |
(about 7 hours later) | |
More than 600 people have marched along one of Bedfordshire's busiest roads in protest against a so-called "eco-town". | More than 600 people have marched along one of Bedfordshire's busiest roads in protest against a so-called "eco-town". |
The demonstrators set off from Marston Moretaine village hall and went along Bedford Road before turning east on to the A421. | |
The A421 was partially closed during the march, leading to traffic delays. | |
The protesters are angry at the prospect of 15,000 new homes being built in Marston Vale and wanted to demonstrate their strength of feeling. | |
'No decisions taken' | |
Hugh Roberts, one of the organisers of the march, said: "We want to make sure our opposition is loud and clear to make it absolutely clear that opposition in this community is complete. | Hugh Roberts, one of the organisers of the march, said: "We want to make sure our opposition is loud and clear to make it absolutely clear that opposition in this community is complete. |
"(There are) those that have seen reports in the press and rumours in Whitehall that opposition to the eco-town in this community is less than elsewhere. | "(There are) those that have seen reports in the press and rumours in Whitehall that opposition to the eco-town in this community is less than elsewhere. |
"Today that'll be abundantly clear that this is not the case because if villagers are prepared to stop the traffic on a major trunk road, that has to sound alarm bells in Westminster." | "Today that'll be abundantly clear that this is not the case because if villagers are prepared to stop the traffic on a major trunk road, that has to sound alarm bells in Westminster." |
A spokesperson for Communities and Local Government said: "Marston is a strong proposal but there are challenges that developers need to address, as with all locations on the shortlist. | |
"No decisions have been taken on the bids that will forward and only the best ones with the highest environmental standards will be in with a chance of making the final shortlist. | |
"We desperately need more homes in this country for our young families and first time buyers, and eco-towns are a unique opportunity to provide more affordable housing where it is needed, while pioneering new green ways of living that will act as a showcase for new development everywhere." | |
Proposals for an 8,000-home eco-town at a greenfield site in Cambridgeshire were abandoned at the end of August when supermarket giant Tesco pulled out. | Proposals for an 8,000-home eco-town at a greenfield site in Cambridgeshire were abandoned at the end of August when supermarket giant Tesco pulled out. |
Final approval will not be given to up to 10 eco-towns planned across England until early 2009 - three months later than originally forecast. | Final approval will not be given to up to 10 eco-towns planned across England until early 2009 - three months later than originally forecast. |
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