Eco-town scrapped and new settlement blocked
Proposals for the Hanley Grange eco-town in Cambridgeshire have been scrapped now Tesco has withdrawn from the scheme which had run into heavy opposition from residents and local authorities.
However, the retailer has signalled continuing interest in a mixed-use development at the location close to the Cambridge high technology cluster, the villages of Hinxton, Duxford and Pampisford and bounded by the A11, A505 and A1301.
Tesco's decision came as Communities Secretary Hazel Blears refused permission for a new settlement proposed near the A10 in the same county near the villages of Stretham and Wilburton.
Tesco has said it will be exploring how to realise a scheme through a review of the Regional Spatial Strategy.
The eco-town proposal envisaged around 6,500 homes, up to 2,600 of which would have been affordable, on 264 hectares of land with a potential for a further 3,000 or so dwellings land to the north of the main site.
The eco-town scheme faced a number of issues to do with water infrastructure and its impact on local wetlands and the River Cam. It would also have needed a new bus network. In addition there was concern that the scheme could have generated significant long-distance commuting.
In a statement Tesco insisted it had "put forward a strong proposal for an environmentally-leading, mixed-use development combining housing, employment and cutting-edge environmental technology".
But the company added: "we recognise that a proposal of this type has implications not only for the local area, but for the region. We also believe that a genuinely sustainable community stands the best chance of being delivered successfully if a broad range of stakeholders in the region feel they have been fully engaged in the process leading up to a decision."
Communities and Local Government dismissed claims that the demise of another eco-town candidate derailed the initiative.
A spokesperson said: "The whole point of developing a long list of potential locations was to get down to a shorter final list, and we remain committed to announcing this final shortlist of up to ten potential locations early in the New Year.
"There remains a serious shortage of housing in the Cambridge area with almost 10,000 families on the waiting list for affordable housing, and this is an issue that must be resolved.
"We have been clear that only proposals of the highest standards stand a chance of becoming an eco-town. The promoters have decided they need more time to develop their proposal and we would expect it to be considered as part of the planned review of the Regional Spatial Strategy."
In a separate development, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears rejected the proposed Mereham "new town" proposed by developers Mutiplex Stannifer at a site just off the A10 in Cambridgeshire near the villages of Stretham and Wilburton.
The plan to build 5,000 homes and provide retail, employment and community facilities was opposed by local residents and planning authorities.
Blears' stance was in line with the recommendation of the planning inspector who held a planning inquiry between October 2007 and March 2008.
Her decision letter said the new settlement "was not in accordance with the development plan" and had "substantial deficiencies" in terms of its failure to meet locational policy set out in the East of England Plan.
Read the Cambridgeshire County Council press release on Hanley Grange.
Roger Milne
4th September 2008
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