The Council has expressed its disappointment that key issues regarding the proposed eco-town at Ford remain unaddressed following Housing Minister Caroline Flint's visit.

It was hoped that Ms Flint would use the visit as an opportunity to respond to some of the Council and local community's main fears about the proposed eco-town and to visit the Ford site personally.

Yet Councillors were left feeling frustrated after the Minister offered no response to requests for central Government help towards kick-starting crucial affordable housing provision on sites other than Ford.

Surprise was also shown that Ms Flint declined an invitation from local MPs Nick Herbert and Nick Gibb to take a guided tour around the Ford area that could be affected by the estimated 5,000 house development.

Council Leader Mrs Gillian Brown said: "Ultimately I feel that this visit was a wasted opportunity for Ms Flint to try and fully appreciate why the Council and local groups are against an eco-town at Ford.


"Much has been made about Arun's need for more affordable housing. Yet the Minister did not even respond to pleas for help to start building these key homes on other sites, ready and waiting to be developed, affected by the credit crunch.

"If providing affordable homes in Arun is one the key concerns for the Government they could help now by channelling funds into existing developments, such as Site 6 in Bognor Regis, that cannot begin work until the market improves.

"I am also amazed that Ms Flint did not make a trip to the proposed site to see it for herself and to appreciate the impact 5,000 houses would have on it. I think a lot of local residents will find it strange she travelled all this way without even seeing the area that could be so dramatically transformed."

Severe concerns were raised by the Select Committee at the public investigation into the Ford eco-town proposals about this topic and it was hoped that the Minister would benefit from an expert briefing.

"It is a real shame that the waste briefing did not take place. Apart from wasting the time of expert County officers, it was a great chance for Ms Flint to gain an insight into the true implications of the eco-town's waste plans.

"I understand the Minister is willing to allow the County and District Councils to travel to London instead, but the further delay and unnecessary carbon emissions as a result are unfortunate to say the least."

(CD/JM)