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Leeds secret eco-town plan: 9,000 homes to be built
More than 9,000 homes could be built in a secret plan to turn a south Leeds suburb into a new eco-town.
The scheme could see almost all green belt land in Rothwell, Oulton and Woodlesford swallowed up by large-scale housing under a scheme submitted to the Government by two private companies.
The proposals – seen by the YEP – include:
* Building 9,000 carbon neutral homes across an 800-acre site.
* Developing all land around the Oulton Hall grounds.
* Making the village of Carlton three times bigger.
* Doubling the size of Oulton.
* Building six new primary schools and a secondary school.
* Tearing up the A642 Leeds-Wakefield Road to make way for a new dual carriageway.
Solar panels on all properties and wind turbines built on site.
A giant "Bubble" sculpture, which a report calls "an emblem of the new town's pioneering spirit."
The plan – which would see the area renamed The Greens – was drawn up and handed to Whitehall chiefs last October.
Isle of Man-based Oulton Hall Estates and Yorkshire firm GMI Property Company Ltd are behind the plan.
But the full extent of the plans only become clear this week after the 72-page document came into the public domain for the first time.
It is thought the proposal may be on the shortlist to be one of Yorkshire's eco-towns.
Housing minister Caroline Flint plans to build 15 nationwide.
Local councillor Stewart Golton said the scheme would destroy the fabric of the local community. He is leading a campaign to block it.
According to the "expression of interest" document submitted to the Department for Communities and Local Government last autumn, Oulton Hall Estates and GMI are in control of 800 acres of land.
Around 5,000 homes can be built initially, to increase later to 9,000.
Transport plans include widening the A642 and lengthening the platform at Woodlesford station.
Up to six primary schools and a secondary school for 900 pupils would need to be built. Other plans include a new three-acre cemetery, allotments and an urban farm.
Coun Golton said: "These plans would irreversibly change the character of our communities, and the developers should not be complacent about the level of opposition they would face.
"Eco-town or not, it still amounts to tonnes of tarmac, concrete, bricks and mortar being laid on our green belt, and hundreds more cars on our roads. It would destroy the character of where we live, and the reaction of residents will reflect this.
"It is unfair of the Government to force this on any community, but the message will go out loud and clear that even though the local Labour MPs seem to be oblivious to what the Government is up to, the local councillors won't stand for this in Rothwell ward."
Leeds City Region Partnership is carrying out research into possible eco-town sites. One or more preferred sites are due to be announced.
Ms Flint told MPs: "The Leeds City Region Partnership has indicated support in principle for an eco-town within the sub-region. Eco-towns are a response to twin challenges of an acute housing shortage and climate change."
Plans at Micklefield, between Eggborough and Kellington near Selby, and in Darrington near Pontefract have already been ruled out.
Council leader Andrew Carter said: "We are most unhappy about this. There has been no consultation whatever with Leeds. It is another example of Gordon Brown's Stalinist housing policies. I don't think it has a cat in hell's chance of getting planning approval. The ludicrous housing figures which the Labour Government is trying to impose on us are wholly unjustified.
"The scheme is hugely over-intensive and is unnecessary. It would mean the loss of green spaces and green fields. It seems the Government haven't a clue about what they are doing. The housing market is about to go into a severe depression. They have completely lost the plot."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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