Press Release

CONSULTATION BEGINS ON POTENTIAL ECO-TOWN AT THE FORMER RAF NEWTON SITE IN RUSHCLIFFE

25 June 2008

The Crown Estate, Defence Estates & Newton Nottingham LLP today announced plans to explore the potential for an eco-town on their holdings in Rushcliffe and are keen to work closely on this with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Rushcliffe Borough Council.

On 20 June the three major landowners submitted preliminary proposals to DCLG and began a formal consultation process to assess in greater detail the potential offered by the former RAF Newton airbase near Bingham.

The submission to DCLG sets out the principles that could underpin a future eco-town development and outlines how such a project could help meet housing and infrastructure requirements in Rushcliffe. Any scheme would of course have to achieve the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

Proposals include the potential for two to three new primary schools and significant levels of affordable housing. The submission also set out plans for significant investment in transport infrastructure, a new community sports hub and health centre, a new town park and varied new employment opportunities.

The submission follows an initial assessment of the Newton eco-town concept that concluded the location could offer significant potential. The landowners will now undertake public consultation alongside a further, more comprehensive assessment of the site that will outline more detailed proposals.

The former RAF airbase at Newton emerged only relatively recently, in April 2008, as a potential site for an eco-town, following DCLG’s decision to seek an alternative site to the Kingston-upon-Soar site, previously being considered by government.

Nick Harper, Head of Asset Management and Development at The Crown Estate, said on behalf of the landowners: “Public debate on a Newton eco-town has taken place largely in the absence of detailed information on what the concept might involve and how it might be delivered. Whilst it is early days, we are encouraged by the concept’s potential. We are keen to engage with local residents and politicians to hear more about their ideas and aspirations for Rushcliffe and hope that our initial assessment will provide a sound platform on which an informed debate can be taken forward.”

The three landowners are launching a website on 27 June 2008, to provide information for local residents and to give them the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals.