Council leaders have warned that government plans to create new ‘eco towns' must comply with planning procedures.

The Local Government Association voiced concern that radical changes proposed by ministers to change the planning application process meant councils would be unable to insist vital services such as schools and public transport were integrated into new developments.

‘While we are in favour of tackling the housing crisis by building thousands of extra homes, imposing plans from Whitehall is not the right way to do it,' said LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton.

Announcing the 15 shortlisted locations for potential eco towns, housing minister, Caroline Flint, said they would provide a solution to the lack of affordable housing and tackle climate change. ‘Building in existing towns and cities alone simply cannot provide enough new homes,' she added.

The Town and Country Planning Association gave its backing to the scheme, stating new eco towns presented unique opportunities to create a new type of town from scratch that would meet the highest standards of sustainable development.

But the South East County Leaders' chairman and leader of West Sussex CC, Henry Smith, slammed the shortlist as nothing more than a ‘gimmick'. He said: ‘We are committed to providing more affordable housing for young families and essential workers, but eco towns are a gimmick, and some of the proposals could well wreck the countryside and destroy communities.'

The 15 are:
Pennbury, Leicestershire;
Manby and Strubby, Lincolnshire;
Curborough, Staffordshire;
Middle Quinton, Warwickshire;
Bordon-Whitehill, Hampshire;
Weston Otmoor, Oxfordshire;
Ford, West Sussex;
Imerys China Clay Community, Cornwall;
Rossington, South Yorkshire;
Coltishall, Norfolk;
Hanley Grange, Cambridgeshire;
Marston Vale and New Marston, Bedfordshire;
Elsenham, Essex;
Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire;
Leeds City Region, Yorkshire.