FORD ECO-TOWN: Plans for Ford 'are credit crunch crazy'

Cllr Derek Whittington said the growing concerns about a recession made the government's desire to carry on with the 5,000 home idea as much out of time as it was out of place.

He described the scheme as ill thought-out.

"We have advised the government of our concerns over the suitability of Ford as a strategic development location.

"The size of the development would undoubtedly result in significant additional traffic on the A27 at Arundel and other local roads.

"The county council has for many years now continually campaigned for improvements to the A27 at Arundel," he continued. "But the government still hasn't taken any action. And what is more '“ there's no guarantee improvements will be made if the eco-town at Ford goes ahead.

"We're also extremely concerned about the impact development traffic will have on the local road network and the communities through which the traffic will pass."

Government minister Margaret Beckett last month revealed that Ford had been given a B rating as a possible eco-town location.

This means it could be developed provided that certain drawbacks to the site can be overcome.

The aim is to create a 'green' community, complete with eco-friendly housing, jobs and a new railway station at the centre of a public transport hub to provide a sustainable community.

Critics, however, have lined up to attack the scheme for seeking to build upon a largely greenfield location around the former airfield.

Cllr Whittington, the county council's senior member for strategic planning, warned that the government could be seeking to over-ride the established planning process to get the eco-town built.

He stated: "If the government believed the proposals for an eco-town at Ford deserve consideration, then they should be tested through the proper planning process starting with Arun District Council's local development framework.

"However, the government has said it will if necessary change the rules regarding planning.

"If this does indeed happen, they will be overriding the democratic process and we will be seeing a backdoor development."

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