Eco-Towns
Although CPRE South Yorkshire supports the Government’s aspirations for more affordable sustainable homes, we are concerned that the Eco-town concept and site selection process is flawed.
As the local CPRE Branch for Doncaster, CPRE SY are particularly concerned with the selection of Rossington as a possible location for a 15,000 home new town. The scheme is a resubmission of a previous proposal which was thrown out following the public inquiry into the Unitary Development Plan during the 1990s as it is predominantly on Green Belt land and has very poor access links to the rail and road networks.
The Eco-town concept
CPRE SY believe that the concept of building stand-alone settlements should be re-thought. Schemes should be integrated into, or be on the edge of, existing urban areas. These areas already have public transport provision, local services and amenities which could be expanded to serve eco-neighbourhoods rather than towns.
It is highly likely, given the locations of these towns, that these stand-alone settlements will become commuter settlements for neighbouring urban areas. Greater integration with neighbouring urban areas will increase the viability of public transportation, local services and the sustainability of these eco settlements/neighbourhoods.
Eco-town site selection process
CPRE SY are gravely concerned that the Eco-town agenda has been developed outside the planning system and consequently has not been subject to sound consultation procedures.
There is widespread public confusion and anger amongst communities who live near these proposals. This anger has been caused by the exclusion of third parties, a lack of transparency, the inability of communities to view the details of schemes, and lack of proper consultation
Rossington Eco-town
Loss of Green Belt
The procedural problems with the selection of Eco-towns are evident in the identification of Rossington as a possible site for 15,000 new homes (40,000 new residents). If the proposal had undergone transparent consultation, with the developers information published for comment, this site would clearly have been discounted.
It is obvious that the site is predominantly within the Green Belt. A rough calculation would suggest that less than a quarter of the scheme is on the former colliery; the rest would be on greenfield, Green Belt land. We therefore believe that Rossington must dropped or significantly reduced in scale as the loss of 300 hectares of Green Belt would contradict the Government’s Eco-town objectives and Green Belt policy.
Poor transport links
A second major problem that must be overcome is the location’s poor accessibility and the proposed solution. If, as it appears, the construction of the airport link road to the M18 via Rossington (the FARRRS scheme) is seen as the main transportation solution, then the environmental credentials of this Eco-town would be seriously damaged. Linking 15,000 new homes directly to M18 and an airport place significant additional vehicle traffic upon the highway network. With such convenient road access to Doncaster, Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and beyond, there will be no encouragement for residents to use public transport.
Previously rejected proposal
A final concern regarding this proposal is its similarity with the Rossington Hall Project which was rejected in the 1990s. This scheme covered the same area, encircling the south western area of Rossington from the colliery to the B6463 (Stripe Road).
Whilst an Eco-town may be considered a less damaging development than proposals which include ‘normal’ housing, in this case the unsustainable location, the extensive loss of Green Belt and the undermining of regeneration initiatives would reduce the Eco-town’s social, economic and environmental credentials.
Latest Developments
Whilst CPRE SY are encouraged by news from UK Coal that the scheme may be reduced to 3,000 homes and that these will be accommodated on the former colliery and other sites within Rossington, we are still concerned that, unless sustainable transport solutions are included and the development is integrated into the existing settlement, the Rossington Eco-town will have an unacceptable impact on the environment and residents of Rossington.
A final note of caution. While UK Coal have put forward plans for their site, those that own Green Belt land around Rossington have yet to announce their intentions. We must therefore await the governments decision as to whether the site will be reduced to the colliery area alone or will retain elements which will result in the loss of significant areas of Green Belt.
| 