<p>The ecotown vision has been dealt a further blow as a judge confirmed that the plans must be taken to the High Court. Following a BARD-led campaign (pressure group Better Accessible Responsible Development) the government will be forced to justify its programme as it is deemed unlawful for its apparent lack of public consultation. On granting the application, Mr Justice Collins commented that there was “no doubt” BARD’s claim was arguable. At time of going to press, a date for the hearing had not been set, with the judge awaiting a response from the secretary of state. </p> <p>But programme leader Communities and Local Government (CLG) stated that the government would press ahead with the programme regardless. “We believe we have acted properly throughout this process and will defend this claim vigorously,” a CLG spokesperson said. Separately, another potential ecotown bidder has pulled out of the shortlist of 15 locations. Plans for Hanley Grange – an 8,000 home site in Cambridgeshire – were scrapped after bidder Tesco concluded that the site’s location was unworkable. Three sites have now been withdrawn from the ecotowns programme. </p>