Planning delays already predicted for proposed eco-towns

Legal experts have warned the government faces major hurdles acquiring land for eco-towns, which could delay construction for years.

Planning lawyers say experience when Britain’s last new towns were built showed councils had to battle lengthy delays to compulsory acquire large swathes of land.

Stephen Turnbull, planning partner at law firm LG, said he anticipated significant issues with land assembly for eco-towns and had advised the government.

He said: “Large scale land assembly normally requires the use of compulsory purchase orders by local authorities, and these are very often contested.

“In this case local authorities themselves could be opposed and refuse to issue the necessary orders – all of which is likely to result in considerable complexity and delays.”

However, the Daily Telegraph reports that the ministers could use the controversial Planning Bill to push the plans through.

The Conservatives say the bill could be used to approve plans for the new roads, water and sewerage systems necessary for eco-towns.

The party announced to hundreds of protestors yesterday it would scrap eco-towns if they won the next election.

The protestors marched on parliament to show their opposition to the government’s plans to build up to 10 eco-towns by 2020, handing in a petition signed by 60,000.

Read the article in Contract Journal here .