Housing minister Caroline Flint has attempted to calm the controversy surrounding ecotowns, stating that the developments will have to enter the normal planning process and that they will not be a strain on local roads and transport. During a New Local Government Network conference, Flint dismissed the growing speculation over the proposed low carbon settlements as “scaremongering,” but recognised people’s fears of new development in their area: “They fear that resources could be diverted from existing settlements, that local roads and transport won’t be able to cope, and that the character of rural communities will be damaged.” She continued: “I do not want to see any ecotown built which has these consequences.<br><br>I am not ambivalent to these concerns.” The minister also challenged the view that local authorities were not properly involved in the selection process. “This is not true. Several of the bids are actually being proposed by local authorities including the Lincolnshire site at Manby.” She asserted that instead of bypassing local plans, an ecotown should be considered as part of a local plan. “Ecotowns will go through the planning process – otherwise we wouldn’t need to put in place a PPS [during her speech, Flint introduced planning policy …