But, speaking after today's (Thursday, July 16) announcement of four Eco-Town locations, Mr Herbert called on the Government to clarify whether Ford might be in a second wave of the carbon-neutral communities.

Mr Herbert said: "It's a victory for people power, the local community and common sense that Ford isn't on the shortlist.

"It never made sense to build a new town in this part of rural West Sussex against local wishes and it was wrong to try and usurp the local planning process."

'Brilliant' campaign

He welcomed the Government's confirmation that Ford had failed to demonstrate 'the potential to meet the sustainability and deliverability requirements for successful development as an Eco-Town'.

The proposal to build at least 5,000 houses on the former airfield and surrounding farmland faced overwhelming opposition from villagers in Yapton, Ford and Climping, together with councils, businesses and MPs, when the initial shortlist of 15 sites was published in April last year.

The campaign against the scheme was led by Communities Against Ford Eco-Town (CAFE), which, last October, delivered a petition signed by 10,000 people to 10 Downing Street, with support from Mr Herbert and Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb.

Mr Herbert added: "I congratulate CAFE on its brilliant and successful campaign. But the Government must clarify whether its 'offer' of taking forward a second wave of Eco-Towns includes Ford and, if it does, whether it's genuinely an offer or a threat.

"If Arun District Council continues to oppose an Eco-Town at Ford, then the Government must admit clearly and openly that the scheme is now dead in the water."

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