News Release

2nd September 2008

APOLOGY FROM MINISTER FOR HOUSING

Michael Fabricant has received a written apology from the Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP, Minister for Housing and Planning concerning a misleading advertisement published in local newspapers, a Parliamentary Statement, and literature published in support of the proposed eco-town at Fradley in Staffordshire. Angry residents pointed out the error to Michael who took the matter up immediately with Government Ministers. The advertisement stated that the Curborough Eco-Town would be built on the disused airfield at Fradley and a brownfield site "with hard standing and old airfield buildings". Michael says: "This was totally untrue. In fact, over 90% of the proposed development would have been on greenfield land. It is sad that the Government got their facts so badly wrong. How much taxpayer's money has been wasted as a consequence?" The Minister is also informing the Advertising Standards Authority to whom a complaint was also made.

In her written apology, Caroline Flint says: "In my answer of 16 July 2008, Official Report, column 486W, on promotional materials in relation to the proposed Curborough eco-town, I referred you to the consultation document Eco-towns - Living a greener future. It transpires that this document contains a factual error. "The consultation document stated that the proposed Curborough development was "part of former Fradley airfield [and] a brownfield site with hardstanding and old airfield buildings". The consultation document contained an error: only a part of the former Fradley airfield is within the proposed site, and the majority of the proposed site is greenfield land.

"My answer referred you to that document. The copy for our advert in relation to the proposed Curborough eco-town, and my written statement to Parliament of 3 April, Official Report, column 71WS also contained the error. We will correct the written statement at the earliest opportunity. We have set out the position to the Advertising Standards Authority.