Council withdraws its plans for Manby eco-town

A Lincolnshire council shortlisted to build an eco-town has pulled out of the project.

East Lindsey District Council has taken its proposal to build 5,000 homes in Manby off a list of 15 potential eco-towns after a council vote.

The council had encountered strong local opposition based around concerns that quality farmland would be destroyed and the town would become a “refugee camp” for coastal communities at risk of flooding.

It was also criticised by the government’s eco-town panel for providing little details on how it would meet eco-town requirements.

The panel said more needed to be done by the council to develop sustainable transport strategies, including investigation into the reinstatement of a disused railway line.

The council has now said it will work with local partners on an alternate proposal that would address issues of accommodation, housing investment and coastal defence.

There are now 14 eco-towns on the government’s shortlist, which will be revised to 10 towards the end of the year.