Lawyers warn eco-town approvals could be unlawful

Government plans to push through eco-towns could be unlawful, lawyers have warned ministers.

The advice, contained in a report commissioned by the Local Government Association, warns that the use of a new planning policy statement for the developments “is likely to be unlawful”.

Lawyers John Steel QC and James Strachan claim there would be sound grounds for a local authority to seek a judicial review.

Oppositions parties seized on the news, with Liberal Democrat local government spokeswoman Julia Goldsworthy telling the Financial Times: “This must sound the death knell for the attempt to bypass the local planning process and local public opinion.”

Meanwhile, the Times reported that people living in the proposed towns will face services charges of more than £500 a year on top of their council bills.

The charges come from developers who plan to fund subsidised bus travel and management costs through a community trust.