Government "eco-towns" programme in crisis

From the Public Servant Today site:

The government’s eco-towns plans continue to be blighted by set-backs and protests, according to some reports.

Not only is the promised shortlist of towns now going to be released in 2009 rather than this October – because ministers say they need more time to look at revised applications – but it may be much shorter than originally planned, for a variety of reasons.

The list began with 16 towns but is now said to be down to 10 and could reduce further still. The plans could also be affected by an unexpectedly high level of hostility to the plans from the public and the possibility of legal challenges following accusations that eco-towns bypass traditional planning procedures.

For arguments against development of the Pennbury site in Leicestershire, see my recent article for Comment is Free.