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News Release

5th June 2008

MISLEADING GOVERNMENT ADVERTISEMENT

A full page colour advertisement published in local newspapers and paid for by the taxpayer through the Department of Communities and Local Government has given misleading information regarding the siting of the proposed Curborough eco-town and will be challenged in Parliament by Michael Fabricant. The advertisement states "An eco-town near you? Curborough, Staffordshire where a bid has been made for 5,000 homes on the brownfield site of the former Fradley airfield."

But Michael Fabricant says: "The advertisement is untrue! The site is a sensitive area just half a mile from the boundary of the historic City of Lichfield and not as claimed 'a brown field site', but 90% greenfield land that rises to provide the back drop from where to view the Cathedral. The advert further states that the site is on an old airfield at Fradley north of Lichfield. Again, untrue! In fact the Fradley Airfield site is already the largest business park in Staffordshire, home to a lettuce packaging factory and a major distribution centre for Tesco amongst many other companies.

"How could the Government have got it so wrong?" asks Michael. "If it weren't so serious I would have thought it a joke, but the Government Housing Minister is about to make a decision that affects thousands of my constituents. I was going to send her a map. Instead, I shall table urgent Parliamentary questions as to why the Government sought to publish misleading advertisements which are just propaganda and what the cost has been to the taxpayer." Michael also will be urging local councillors to complain formally about the advertisement to the Advertising Standards Authority and to local Trading Standards officials.


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