The Guardian reports

An abandoned Norfolk airfield and a cluster of Cornish china claypit villages are to become the first of a controversial new breed of “ecotowns”, offering thousands of new homes built within a cutting-edge eco-friendly community.

The decision will be a blow to villagers who have campaigned against new developments at Rackheath, just outside Norwich, and St Austell in Cornwall. Only Rackheath got a top rating from an independent panel set up to judge the green credentials of the plans, yet it is one of three projects expected to be taken forward by ministers this week.

read more at the [SOURCE: guardian.co.uk - Ecotowns to get go-ahead despite local opposition | Environment | The Observer]