The first details of the controversial plans for a 15,000-home eco-town in Leicestershire were revealed today.
As the developers announced they would start releasing information about their proposals next week, the Leicester Mercury has learned of some of the options which may be on the table.
These include building a series of smaller villages, instead of a conventional town, between Leicester and Great Glen.
More details are expected to follow next week as the developers, the Co-op and the Government agency English Partnerships, have agreed to start releasing more information ahead of public exhibitions in June.
They will be held on the proposed site, at the Parkfields Leisure Centre in Oadby, and at Leicester Rugby Club, with another in Market Harborough. The exhibitions will all take place over the week beginning June 10.
More will be held later in the summer, with new designs which take account of public feedback.
Over the next few weeks, the Co-op has promised information on key issues including transport, education, housing and the environment will be unveiled.
Lynda Shillaw, managing director of the Co-operative Estates, said: “At present, there is a huge gap between what the public perceive an eco-town to be and the community we know we can create.
“Our challenge is to make sure they understand how different the eco-town will be from any existing community and the significant benefits it will have not just for those living there but those living around it.”
“Once people understand what it’s about, that it’s not just about dumping houses in the middle of the countryside, people start to get enthused,” she said.
The Co-op will be suggesting alternatives to a concentrated development, which could be a range of settlements surrounded by green wedges.
Ideas on how to solve the transport problems will also be put forward. Ms Shillaw said: “The solution around transport and traffic at the moment is bus-based, leading edge, with “smart” technology.
“It’s capable of being future-proofed so that at some point in the future it could take a tram.”
The Co-op has not ruled out building new roads as part of the plans but, in its current proposed transport solution, is not planning to ask the Government or local authorities for any extra funding.
The Pennbury plans have been put on a Government shortlist of 15 possible eco-towns, which will be cut down to a final 10 in October.
Ms Shillaw said people would be able to comment on the plans until October.
Kevin Feltham, chairman of the Campaign Against Stoughton Co-op Eco-Town, said: “We look forward to this and we look forward to engaging with the Co-op in due course. We need more details.”
[Via This is Leicester]
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