FORD ECO-TOWN: United campaign group CAFE set up

Members of the community in Ford and neighbouring villages and towns are joining forces to set up a united campaign against the proposed Ford eco-town.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Apr 2008, 14:23 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:03 BST

Residents of Ford, Yapton, Climping and Arundel met on Friday (April 18) and agreed to form 'Communities Against Ford Eco-Town' '“ CAFE.

The campaign is being backed by Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert and Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb.

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Residents from other neighbouring towns and villages, including Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Felpham, Middleton-on-Sea and Barnham are being encouraged to join the campaign.

The following initial actions were agreed:

A campaign group called Communities Against Ford Eco-Town (CAFE) will be established.

CAFE will be run by the local community.

CAFE will be non party-political.

The campaign co-ordinator will be Climping resident Susan West.

CAFE will have a dedicated campaign website, e-mail address, postal address and telephone number '“ details to be announced.

A petition will be organised by CAFE.

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A campaign leaflet will be produced and delivered to homes in the local area.

A march and rally will be held locally on Saturday June 7. Further details will be announced nearer the time.

The campaign is expected to be launched formally next week.

Nick Herbert commented: "There are huge local concerns about the eco-town proposal and a strong feeling that the communities affected need to work together. In the past year we've all rallied to support our local hospitals. I hope everyone will now get behind this united campaign to see off the eco-town."

Nick Gibb commented: "It's vitally important that everyone affected takes part in this campaign, whether it be signing the petition, writing to the Minister, Caroline Flint, or attending the rally on June 7. This is a cross-party and locally-run campaign that, for the sake of our environment, we have to win."

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The meeting was organised following an announcement from Housing Minister Mrs Flint on April 3 that Ford had been shortlisted for an eco-town, with 14 other locations around the country. Of the 15 sites that have made the shortlist, the Government expects that ten eco-towns will be built. Five will be built by 2016, the remainder by 2020.

At least 5,000 houses could be built on land around the former Ford Airfield site, most of which is greenfield land.

For further information on the proposals, see Arun District Council's website on

Related topics:CafeFordResidentsArundel