Campaigners against the controversial ecotowns programme have lost their appeal in a High Court ruling. Pressure group BARD (Better Accessible Responsible Development) who protested against one of the locations on the shortlist – Middle Quinton near Stratford Upon Avon –won the judicial review last September after declaring that the ecotowns policy was unlawful and should be suspended until proper consultation had taken place. But in late January the court ruled that the government had not acted improperly. <br><br>Gideon Amos, chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) welcomed the news and commented that the ecotowns programme could now progress unhindered: “We now must not be diverted from the urgency of reducing emissions, adapting to a new climate and creating inclusive communities in which people and families can thrive and enjoy life.” It has been reported that BARD will still pursue its campaign and hoped that the government would act on local people’s views before taking the programme forward. Housing minister Margaret Beckett has extended the deadline for responses on the draft planning policy statement (PPS) and the accompanying sustainability review on ecotowns, from February 19 to March 6. <br>