'LOBBY your local councillors and tell them you want the proposal to be dropped' – this was the message from Sir Peter Tapsell, MP for Louth and Horncastle, stating a firm no to eco towns built in the area.
As part of the government's plan to build energy efficient, affordable housing in Britain, Manby or Strubby could be chosen to house a new eco town of 5,000 homes after being shortlisted by the government.
But councillors and experts along with
angry locals believe it will ruin the area and at a public meeting on Friday, 200 people met to campaign against the proposal.
Derek Turner, chairman of the Lincolnshire Marsh Protection Group (LMP), said: "Many locals believe it won't be built. But schemes like this do happen! We need to kick it into touch now before we regret it later. We cannot afford to be complacent."
He compared the town to Milton Keynes and predicted the B1200 would turn into the A15 if the sites are approved.
Some councillors from East Lindsey District Council believe the town would create hundreds of jobs and help housing shortages in Lincolnshire's rural areas.
But Sir Peter Tapsell, new patron to the group, said: "I cannot imagine a site less suitable, it is absolutely absurd."
Speakers at the meeting and locals in the crowds believe the infrastructure cannot withstand the massive increase in cars and a huge expense on roads being built across farming land will be spent.
Sir Peter also dismissed the idea of an eco town serving as back up housing for those at risk of flooding in Mablethorpe and Skegness, stating it was: "One of the most astonishing suggestions I have heard from a senior member of East Lindsey District Council."
ELDC councillors will vote on the proposal on June 25.
* Do you think eco towns are the way forward? Email the Editor at rebekah.baker@jpress.co.uk
