Frustration at decision to drop new town plans

A council in Devon has said it will challenge the government's decision to remove two areas from a list of new towns being developed across England.

The government named seven areas out of an original 12 announced last September that will be taken forward, with Marlcombe near Exeter and a development in Plymouth not selected and deprioritised from the scheme.

In a joint statement East Devon District Council (EDDC) and Devon County Council (DCC) said it was "frustrated" and would "respond fully" to the government.

Councillor Todd Olive from EDDC said the decision was a "huge disappointment" but reiterated that its "vision and ambition for Marlcombe remains" and the town would still be built.

The government said those not shortlisted remain "credible development opportunities" and could receive support from other government programmes.

EDDC said it had worked with DCC to create Marlcombe "as a model example of new community development".

It said the town was planned as an "infrastructure-first" mixed-use, climate-resilient and inclusive town, while "putting the vision of a thriving community at the heart of this new development".

The district council said it was "committed to learning the lessons" from mistakes made at the development at Cranbrook with town services to be delivered from the start, which included sustainable transport options, essential health services, accessible green spaces, a new school and up to 10,000 new homes.

Plymouth City Council said although the development in Plymouth was not selected as a new town at this stage, "government has been clear that the city's strategic role and future ambitions place it firmly among the country's priority locations for housing and regeneration support".

Olive said: "The government's failure to support projects outside of large urban areas that have a mayor risks compounding existing inequalities and undermines the investment that the district and Devon so clearly need."

She added: "If the government is serious about its growth mission, it must follow through on the New Towns Taskforce's original recommendation to support Marlcombe."

EDDC leader and Devon County Council deputy leader, Paul Arnott said the decision was "very disappointing" but he would continue to press for the "funding, infrastructure investment and planning flexibility needed to ensure Devon can meet local housing need". 

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