大象传媒

The Co-Operative Group is taking an exhibition about the proposed Leicestershire eco-town around the county.

It says it wants to find out local people's views and to share its plans.

The roadshow is visiting four locations in five days, including the site of the planned eco-town.

Listen: Eco-town roadshow

大象传媒 Leicester's Katharine Sutton was given a sneak preview of the exhibition before it opened...

The roadshow consists of several display boards and information leaflets, with Co-Operative Group employees on hand to answer questions.

The roadshow was open on Monday 09 June 2008 to invited guests, but it was met by a protest outside of the Holiday Inn in Leicester, where it was being held.

Listen: Protest outside of eco-town roadshow

大象传媒 Leicester's Katharine Sutton spoke to some of the campaingers...

Protestors against the eco-town

There were about 50 people protesting outside of the roadshow from the group CASCET (Campaign Against Stoughton Co-Op Eco-Town).

They argued that the decision-making for the proposed eco-town had been undemocratic and they said they were angry that they'd been given so little information about the plans by the Co-Operative Group.

They were also worried about their local environment, explaining that the area's wildlife would be harmed by the construction of 15,000 new homes to the south of Leicester.

Listen: The roadshow visits Market Harborough

The roadshow went to Market Harborough for its first day of being open to the public.

大象传媒 Leicester's Chris Baxter was there and spoke to several people who were keen to share their views...

Chris says that when he got to the roadshow it was in full swing:

"I arrived just before two, and people were busy talking to various experts and filling-in their questionnaires".

People had mixed ideas about the usefulness of the exhibition. Isabel from Thurnby wanted to be given more specific information:

40% of the marked land would be developed

"I don't think the exhibition gives you enough detail.

"The map is not very good, I had to ask somebody where exactly all the roads were, the Park and Ride which has been mentioned in the paper - there's no details about that whatsoever, you can't even see where the actual building is going to be."

But Pam from Market Harborough was urging people to keep an open mind:

"I think there's a lot to be thought about, I don't think people should write it off, which a lot of people think, 'oh no, mustn't have this.'

"There's a lot of good points to it but it's going to take some working out - I don't envy the people that have to do this - but if everybody showed interest it could work, I'm sure of it."

Listen: Schoolchildren on the eco-town

Chris also found a group of school children from Market Harborough Church of England Primary School eager to ask questions...

These children could be the people looking to move into this kind of development in the future.

Annabelle, who's in Year Six, says the roadshow has changed her mind about the proposed eco-town:

"Before I wasn't for it, but now I think it's actually a good idea because I think it will help get people houses and jobs, and people will be able to have good lives."

Her classmate Peter isn't convinced:

"I think they're building far too many houses. 15,000 seems quite a few, so in Harborough we've got 5,000 and we can still cope, so why can't this eco-town?"

But Lauren is taking a balanced view:

"Half of me thinks it's ok because we need more houses, the government says. But on the other hand, I think not, because you're killing most of the wildlife."

Roadshow Venues

If you'd like to go to the eco-town roadshow, here are the dates:

Proposed transport network for Pennbury

Tuesday 10 June - The Three Swans, High Street, Market Harborough

Wednesday 11 June - Parklands Leisure Centre, Wigston Road, Oadby

Friday 13 June and Saturday 14 June - Exhibition Marquee on site of proposed eco-town, Leicester Airfield Gartree Road

Monday 16 June - Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, Aylestone Road, Leicester

The exhibitions will be taking place from 11:00 to 20:00.