ECO TOWN: "KEY QUESTIONS NEED ANSWERS"

6.04.26pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Apr 2008

Stephen Gilbert takes a look at one of the proposed Eco Town sites

Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the new seat of St Austell & Newquay, which includes the clay villages, has warned that "key questions" on jobs, schools and transport links remain unanswered and that "caution" is needed now that the Imerys plans for an eco-town in the clay area has made it to the next step for consultation.

Stephen Gilbert said: "It is far too early to welcome these plans and I am concerned that there are some key questions that we need answers to: where are the jobs coming from, what about schools and other facilities, and transport links."

"There will now be understandable worry in the communities that may be affected and we need to take stock of the information and ensure proper consultation takes place with local people."

"The Government has used a very unusual approach in bring forward these sites - effectively turning the planning process upside down, making it reactive and not proactive.

"I will not support these plans until we all know a lot more about what is proposed."