Post by dutchdiva on May 21, 2008 7:02:19 GMT
Jeremy Clarkson would appear to be an unlikely defender of the countryside but he has become the latest well-known face to join the campaign against Gordon Brown’s eco-towns.
Mr Clarkson became the first person to sign a petition against an 8,000 home development proposed for Hanley Grange, Cambridgeshire.
The Top Gear presenter is well known for trenchant criticisms of the green movement, but he has joined the thousands of people concerned about the impact eco-towns will have on the environment.
Eco-towns are being promoted as environmentally-friendly carbon neutral settlements that will be committed to recycling and green methods of transport.
But environmental experts believe plans for 10 eco-towns across Middle England will ruin the countryside and increase carbon emission by adding to traffic congestion.
Mr Clarkson signed the petition when he arrived at the Red Lion pub in Hinxton, near Saffron Waldon, with his fellow Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond and James May.
The trio, who are filming nearby, arrived in three Alpha Romeos.
Tim Stone, a Lib Dem councillor, who is leading the campaign against the 20,000 population settlement, said: “I thought it would be a good opportunity to draw some more attention to our cause."
Clarkson, 47, made sure he was first to sign the petition.
”Clarkson may give the impression of not being environmentally concerned,” Cllr Stone said.
”But I don’t know if that’s just a TV persona or if that’s really him.
”Besides, the main argument against Hanley Grange has nothing to do with the fact that it’s an eco-town, but that it’s a town at all.”
Hinxton villager Brian McCarthy, 45, said: “We are delighted that such a high-profile figure as Jeremy Clarkson is supporting our campaign.
”It’s a disgrace that farmers’ fields are to be concreted over to make the world greener. It would be absolute madness and must be stopped.
”We are all totally committed to stopping this insane scheme.”
Mr Clarkson became the first person to sign a petition against an 8,000 home development proposed for Hanley Grange, Cambridgeshire.
The Top Gear presenter is well known for trenchant criticisms of the green movement, but he has joined the thousands of people concerned about the impact eco-towns will have on the environment.
Eco-towns are being promoted as environmentally-friendly carbon neutral settlements that will be committed to recycling and green methods of transport.
But environmental experts believe plans for 10 eco-towns across Middle England will ruin the countryside and increase carbon emission by adding to traffic congestion.
Mr Clarkson signed the petition when he arrived at the Red Lion pub in Hinxton, near Saffron Waldon, with his fellow Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond and James May.
The trio, who are filming nearby, arrived in three Alpha Romeos.
Tim Stone, a Lib Dem councillor, who is leading the campaign against the 20,000 population settlement, said: “I thought it would be a good opportunity to draw some more attention to our cause."
Clarkson, 47, made sure he was first to sign the petition.
”Clarkson may give the impression of not being environmentally concerned,” Cllr Stone said.
”But I don’t know if that’s just a TV persona or if that’s really him.
”Besides, the main argument against Hanley Grange has nothing to do with the fact that it’s an eco-town, but that it’s a town at all.”
Hinxton villager Brian McCarthy, 45, said: “We are delighted that such a high-profile figure as Jeremy Clarkson is supporting our campaign.
”It’s a disgrace that farmers’ fields are to be concreted over to make the world greener. It would be absolute madness and must be stopped.
”We are all totally committed to stopping this insane scheme.”