The Society commissioned an independent planning appraisal, and organised a lively public meeting attended by almost 200 people. Leading politicians from the three major political parties were amongst those who supported our campaign, which was also backed by local authorities and campaign groups including Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the RSPB.

Although the Government stressed that its preferred sites would require normal planning approval, the Dever Society argued that the selection process was seriously flawed.  If the Government had chosen Micheldever, then it would have ignored the independent recommendations of the South East Plan Inspectors, who had comprehensively rejected Eagle Star’s proposals just three months earlier.

Official support
But, during an initial scrutiny by the Department for Communities and Local Government, statutory agencies and other Government departments echoed the Society's concerns about the 12,500-home scheme.

Natural England, the Environment Agency and Defra highlighted problems with water supply and wastewater discharges, as well as the development’s ability to comply with the Habitats Regulations. Meanwhile, English Heritage drew attention to the effect on the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Popham Beacons, just to the north of the eco-town site.

But it was the transport issues, cited by Eagle Star as one of their site’s key advantages, that proved its undoing. As highlighted in the Dever Society’s own report, the Highways Agency and the Department for Transport flagged up the ‘very significant issues’ that the proposed development would have on the area’s road and rail links.

Micheldever reprieved
In April 2008, the Government published its shortlist of 15 potential eco-town sites.

All the applications were judged against a set of criteria that included high environmental standards, sustainable travel, high quality design, and community involvement. Eagle Star's proposals were rated C/D (on a scale of A-D) and were amongst the 42 schemes rejected in the initial sift.

• Starting with the story so far, our other Market Town briefings look at farming & wildlife, and the economic & transport implications of a large new town at Micheldever.