Press Release

ROAD SHOW TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ECO-TOWN POTENTIAL

23 July 2008

A series of drop-in exhibitions have been launched to examine how development of a new sustainable community under the government’s eco-town initiative, and within the former RAF Newton and Bingham area, could deliver major investment and local benefits.

The exhibitions will be held in four locations during August and early September. Visitors will be able to view, discuss, and respond to the eco-town concept devised by the government and the ways in which it might be applied to a Newton and Bingham ‘search area’.

Following reports of the former RAF Newton being identified as a possible eco-town site in April 2008, The Crown Estate, as the principal landowner, carried out an initial assessment. The results of this were published in a proposal document last month in conjunction with the other landowners, the Defence Estates and Newton and Nottingham LLP.

On behalf of the landowners, Nick Harper, Head of Asset Management and Development at The Crown Estate, said: “We are keen to engage with local residents and politicians to hear more about their ideas and aspirations for the area. If a scheme is approved by the relevant authorities it is important that local residents have the opportunity to feed into the process.”

He continued: “Our initial assessment provides a platform on which we are seeking to progress an informed and considered debate in partnership with the elected bodies, interest groups and residents throughout the area.”

The road show of exhibitions was prepared in liaison with Rushcliffe Borough Council and starts at East Bridgford Village Hall on Thursday 7 August. The programme takes in Radcliffe on Monday 11 August and Shelford on Monday 18 August and there will be two Bingham events, the first on Saturday 16 August and again on market day Thursday 4 September which it is also hoped will provide an opportunity for people who may be away on holiday in August.

A Newton eco-town website was launched at the end of June and this carries further details of the drop-in exhibitions which are also being advertised in local and regional press.