Campaigners against the proposed Ford eco-town took their fight to Parliament today.

The 50-strong group, joined by protesters to similar schemes shortlisted by the Government across the country, were calling for ministers to scrap plans for at least 5,000 zero-carbon homes on the former airfield site between Littlehampton and Arundel.

The protest was timed to coincide with the end of the first stage of the consultation process, which will be followed by a series of roadshows and ministerial visits before a final shortlist of up to ten schemes for eco-towns is unveiled in the autumn.

In a sign of the political battle to come, Housing minister Caroline Flint pre-empted the protests by publishing a survey claiming widespread national support for eco-towns and insisting that "all voices should be heard, not just those who shout loudest".

But campaign group Communities Against Ford Eco-Town (CAFE) said it was quietly confident its formal response to the Government's consultation, submitted to Ms Flint today, would persuade it to abandon the proposals.

Susan West, 53, from Ford, campaign co-ordinator of Cafe, said: "We do not have the infrastructure to support this eco-town. It is very beautiful land and they're saying it's brownfield but most of it is greenfield."

Group chairman, Terry Knott, 65, from Yapton, said he was not against eco-towns in principle but argued Ford was not a suitable site because it was on a flood plain and the A27 was already overstretched.

He said he was confident the campaigners' submission was rational and nonemotional and should satisfy ministers this is not the place to build.

Michael Smith, 39, from Yapton, said the development would destroy villages and called for more homes to be built in Bognor instead.

The group was met at parliament by MPs for the area - Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert and Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb.

Mr Herbert said: "There is universal opposition to Ford locally and villagers have risen up together to oppose it. The developers have lost the argument and the case has fallen apart."

Mr Gibb said: "This is a very clear message to Caroline Flint that this just won't wash. She cannot order local communities to build according to her whim. This is about protecting local democracy as well as the countryside."

Ms Flint released the results of a nationwide survey conducted by polling company YouGov, which found that 46% of adults supported the development of eco-towns in England, compared with 9% who opposed their development, while 34% said they would back an eco-town within five miles of their home against 15% who said they would be opposed.

She said: "Eco-towns are a new concept in England and we know that they invoke strong opinions.

"That's why the consultation process is so important. However, our initial research among the general public shows clear support in favour."

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