'Eco-town' bid dropped by developer

BY LAURA HANNAM

A bid to build an 'eco-town' near Milton Keynes has been dropped by the developer.

London-based OH Properties Ltd, the firm behind proposals for 15,000 homes in Marston Vale, is out of the running to build one of the 15 new towns planned by the Government for areas across England.

But the site, between Bedford and Milton Keynes, could still be the location for a settlement as the developer intends to apply to build housing through the normal planning process.

David Reavell, director of O&H Properties Ltd said: "After a searching review, we have made the decision to withdraw from the current eco-town evaluation process.

"It is clear to me that sustainable development in Marston Vale will be best achieved through the plan-led system."

"Sustainability will remain a central focus, but we want to have an open mind on the shape of the settlement we propose."

"In doing so, we want to be free to develop our plans with the community without the time constraint of the current eco-town process."

As reported in MK News previously, the council has raised concerns about the impact of the plans on the future growth of Milton Keynes and the strain on local infrastructure, such as on hospitals, water supplies, roads and transport links.

Mr Reavell has said the new carbon-neutral town would be self-sufficient and will fund its own infrastructure.