Roadshow in town

The Government s eco-towns roadshow came to Saffron Walden recently. I have now read the Draft Planning Policy Statement and can find no fault with it. After all, in the future we will all have to live as sustainably as possible – and that will include

The Government's eco-towns roadshow came to Saffron Walden recently.

I have now read the Draft Planning Policy Statement and can find no fault with it.

After all, in the future we will all have to live as sustainably as possible - and that will include as many people as possible living in zero-carbon homes, using energy generated locally and having easy access to public transport, cycle routes, footpaths and car clubs.

But one aspect did jump out from the Policy Statement - the criteria that eco-towns should be 'separate and distinct'.

This would not apply to the North East Elsenham eco-town proposal which would only be separated from the existing Elsenham settlement by a railway line.

Indeed, the suggested name for the eco-town of North East Elsenham says it all about the new settlement not being 'separate and distinct'.

You can find out more about the Government's eco-towns plan t: www.direct.gov.uk/ecotowns

Peter A Riding, Castle Street, Saffron Walden