THE Green Party is calling for several new eco-towns to be built near Worcester to satisfy the Government's wish for more housing.

Members of the party from Worcester, Malvern Hills and Wychavon say several new towns would allow planners to take a fresh approach to transport and development, putting climate change at the top of the policy agenda.

Your Worcester News previously reported how up to 32,000 new homes could be built in south Worcestershire over the next 20 years if the Government gets its way. Chris Lennard, Worcestershire Green Party spokesman, said: "With climate change needing to be at the top of the policy agenda now, we simply cannot carry on permitting the kinds of city fringe and piecemeal development that encourages car dependence.

"The concept of eco-settlements represents a fresh approach in which communities would be much more self-sufficient promoting local renewable energy with people living in close conjunction with as full a range of job opportunities and services as possible and, crucially, all accessible on foot or by bicycle."

The three districts have joined forces to work out where homes could be built and debate the consequences for transport, employment, waste and infrastructure.

As part of that, a public consultation document was unveiled last Friday allowing people to make their views known until Friday, December 14.

One of the options suggested in the Issues and Options Paper is a new settlement, of 10,000 homes - roughly the same size as Evesham - possibly an eco-town.

South Worcestershire's Greens are backing this approach, but suggest building two or three medium-sized eco-towns, instead of one larger one, to the east, south west, or north of the city connected to other locations across the region by modern light-railway systems.

Mr Lennard said: "We suggest two or three medium-sized eco-settlements, rather than just one large one.

"The rail connections to Worcester and beyond would be important in reflecting contemporary needs and expectations to travel farther afield, but again, we want this to be done in more sustainable ways."

Have your say Public consultation meetings are being held across the county. All take place between 6.30pm and 8pm.

Wednesday, November 14 - St Peter the Great Baptist Church, Eden Way, Worcester.

Thursday, November 15 - Elmley Castle Village Hall.

Tuesday, November 20 - Evesham Town Hall, Market Square.

Wednesday, November 21 - Green Centre, Dines Green, Worcester.

Thursday, November 22 - Council Chamber, Upton-upon-Severn Memorial Hall.

Monday, November 26 - Woodgreen Evangelical Church, Warndon Villages, Worcester.

Tuesday, November 27 - Bredon Village Hall.

Wednesday, November 28 - Worcester City Community Centre.

Wednesday, November 28 - Hallow Parish Hall.

Thursday, November 29 - Droitwich Spa Community Hall, Heritage Way.

Thursday, December 6 - Ombersley Memorial Hall.

Friday, December 7 - Abberley Village Hall.

Meanwhile, anybody wanting to obtain a copy of the consultation document and questionnaire can call 01905 722233 or visit www.swjcs.org