Flint claims eco-town support on day of protesters' demonstration

Housing minister Caroline Flint has claimed there is clear support for eco-towns, despite opponents plans to demonstrate in Westminster today.

Hundreds of protestors against the developments will meet outside parliament, as the first phase of the consultation closes.

They will hand in their responses to the consultation before a meeting there with Ms Flint, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile the government is expected to publish the results of a YouGov poll that shows 46% of the public support the plans and 9% oppose them.

The latest opponents to go on record has been the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which wants ministers to go back to the drawing board, because there is a “worrying lack of evidence” that eco-towns would be developed to the best green standards.

The government wants to build up to 10 eco-towns across England that aim to be zero carbon. It will announce a shortlist of sites for the towns later this year.