FORD ECO TOWN: Injured pride seems to be Arun's main concern

According to research group Nomis, Arun's average gross weekly pay is 389, whereas East Hampshire's is 558, more than 43 per cent higher.

East Hampshire District Council supports the Eco-Town proposals in its district, seeing the national Eco-Towns programme as an opportunity to improve the future prospects of its citizens and as a means of reinforcing its local economy against an impending problem '“ the closure of a military base.

Arun District Council opposes the Eco-Town proposals in its district, seeing the national Eco-Towns programme as government interference in its local development framework (editor: planning blueprint), and an unwelcome intrusion into the lowest-paid local economy in West Sussex.

Injured pride seems to be the main concern for Arun.

Yet doesn't the government's Eco-Towns progress report state: "Where the LDF (local development framework) Core Strategy is in preparation, local authorities should include proposed Eco-Towns as an option for consideration.

"However, there is no requirement to adopt the Eco-Town if a better way of meeting future needs exists."

Of course, a local authority that has already instigated a "council-led community campaign against the proposal" (source: Arun press release, April 2008) and where the two cabinet members on its newly- created LDF project board have already voted that "the council, together with local organisations, mount a campaign against the principle of Eco-Towns in the district" (source: cabinet minutes, April 14) might struggle to meet the required standard of impartiality!

Tony Dixon,

Barons Close,

Westergate

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

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