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Earlier this year the government announced plans to build 10 new towns in locations across the UK.  These proposed towns are being called Eco Towns because the intention is to make them environmentally friendly with good public transport links and zero carbon standards.  The towns are obliged to provide a good range of facilities including schools, shops and businesses.  They should also provide between 30 and 50%  affordable housing.

One of the proposed sites is in Oxfordshire just 3 miles from Bicester and is known as Weston Otmoor.  There is a great deal of local opposition to this scheme and real concern about how it could affect Bicester and other nearby settlements.

The developers – Parkridge – are currently undertaking a period of consultation and inviting your comments.

SEEDA – the South East England Development Agency has commissioned Arup to undertake a study of the possible positive and negative social and economic effects this new town would have on Bicester.  They are holding a workshop on 30th August to which many local businesses have been invited.  If you have an opinion about what effect you think it may have then please contact me and I will make sure that the information is fed through to them.

rachel@bicestervision.co.uk

You can find out everything you need to know about the proposals on the following sites:

This is the Department of Communities and Local Government and you can download the original prospectus for Eco Towns:

www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsprospectus

This is the developer’s website and will tell you all about their plans:

www.westonotmoor.co.uk

These sites have been created by groups who are concerned about the negative impact the new town would have.

www.westonfront.com
www.the-weston-front.org
www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=news&id=2407
www.cpreoxon.org.uk/campaigns/planning/housing/eco_towns.htm

Some newspaper articles on the subject:

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/feb/23/greenpolitics.communities
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3679223.ece
www.independent.co.uk/extras/big-question/the-big-question-what-are-ecotowns-and-how-green-are-they-in-reality-857673.html