As you may have heard on the news today, the announcement of the shortlist of proposed eco-town sites has finally been made...or has it?

As usual this has been done via the press, and not directly to the Councils involved and the press are issuing conflicting stories this evening.

What we do know

There is a shortlist of 15 sites, one of which is simply described as 'Leeds City Region'

So the positive is that the Government does appear to be awaiting the results of a study which Leeds City Region Leaders have agreed to fund.

This is a truly independent study which has been agreed as a result of pressure exerted by Selby and North Yorkshire Councils, and  which seeks an alternative site for an eco town to serve the Leeds City region.
This is currently underway with the results expected in June.

In the Selby area we are naturally looking for the result to reflect housing need closer to the major cities, and for brownfield sites to be utilised.

What we don't know

The negative is that we still await the list of those bids which have actually been rejected (only 3 of which have been released at the present time, being in the Midlands and south of England)
so we do not at this time have an outright rejection of either the Darringfield or Willow Green sites,
and I am unable to tell you 'what happens next' as we have yet to be informed.

Interestingly, the government appears to be saying that any new towns proposed will have to go through the normal planning process, and that local people and other interested bodies will have the right to challenge the plans.

The Minister, Caroline Flint also is quoted as saying that: "Bidders will have to meet the highest standards for sustainability, affordability and creativity. The expert panel which will be set up will challenge developers to the limits."

During the day I have trying to get definitive information concerning both Willow Green and Darringfields ( have they been rejected or not? ) but as yet we cannot get firm information : there are stories in the Leeds Evening Post which suggests they have been rejected but then then again they have changed that story twice already today