Case Study 2: Ford, West Sussex

Catherine Morrow reviews eco town backlash in Ford

Even though the British Government has named this West Sussex site as "challenging*", it has been shortlisted due to its very high pressure for housing affordability. The Government has pinpointed a 350 acre site which includes 110 acres of brownfield and a former airfield site. If the eco town at Ford gets the green light, then Ford could see from 5,000 to 20,000 new homes, a 30 hectacre economic hub, a relocated railway station and other factors arrive in the local communities.

Yet, despite numerous previous rejections by Arun District Council for further planning within the eco town site, Ford currently remains on the national shortlist.

So...

During my investigation, it has come to light that a vast amount of West Sussex residents are concerned about the detrimental impact that an eco town would have in terms of increased traffic congestion, the issue of land suitability and the knock on effects of how well the new eco town community would co-exist with the existing communities in locations such as Yapton, Ford and Climping.

For the time being, Arun District Council is actively confronting the Government's decision. Unlike any other local authority for a proposed eco town, Arun District Council has taken a proactive approach within the consultation process by setting its own public inquiry up via a select committee to discuss. Both local authorities and local residents have been busy expressing their concerns about the proposed eco town. Click on the right to hear Councillor Ricky Bower from Arun District Council outline his personal eco town opposition and how he feels local/public consultation has so far been bypassed.

In addition, the old expression "people power " is applicable in this instance. Local West Sussex communities have come together and formed a local campaign group - Communities Against Ford Eco Town (CAFE). Co-chairman of CAFE, Terry Knott explained to me that CAFE is not opposed to eco towns as a concept, but they are opposed to the intended one in their locality.

CAFE has been largely instrumental in generating awareness of eco town opposition and recently attracted national press attention for its protest march on 7 June ahead of a national eco town demonstration in Westminster, London on 30 June. 30 June marked the end of the first phase of eco town public consultation.

Click here to read a profile page on CAFE and Terry Knott

Catherine Morrow reports on Ford eco fight from Westminster

 

 

*Source: DCLG "Notes and recommendations from session 1 of Eco-town challenge", June 2008.