I am delighted that the Housing Minister has today rejected Zurich Eagle Star’s proposals to build a so-called Eco-Town at Micheldever Station. In failing to meet the Government’s criteria for Eco-Town status, I believe that these proposals have been exposed for what I have always believed them to be – an attempt to make massive commercial profit out of the destruction of this beautiful Hampshire Downland. It was a cynical re-badging of the earlier proposal – rejected at every tier of local and central government - to build a market town of some 3,000 homes but grotesquely inflated to 12,500. The masquerade of pseudo environmental motivation has failed, as it should, because it fooled no-one.
Massive thanks and congratulations are due to the Dever Society, so ably led and enthused by Tessa Robertson, without whose efforts this might have been a different story. Their clinical, objective and highly professional step-by-step rebuttal of Zurich Eagle Star’s proposals have clearly influenced the Minister and her advisers, as, I am sure, will have the excellent letter of pre-emptive objection sent at my request by the Leader of Winchester City Council, Cllr George Beckett. This has been a real case of a community pulling together, with so many people working tirelessly to support the Dever Society, through essential fundraising, writing letters, attending meetings and a host of other ways – all to protect the countryside we all love.
Today, they have got their just reward.
Member of Wonston & Micheldever Ward
Winchester City Council
3 April 2008