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I’ve been reading with great interest the “Ecobuild” publication in a recent Inside housing. The reason for my interest is a storm of protest has erupted over a proposed eco-town in Leicestershire, the county where I live.

In brief, the proposal is for a 15,000 home development in the countryside area around Stoughton, Oadby and Great Glen. The builders are Co-operatve Estates and English Partnerships.

People around the area are unhappy and are raising thousands to fight this. The main concern is the destruction the countryside, and they have their own report showing that this eco-town will be an eco-disaster.

The development companies naturally have reports saying the opposite.

It is becoming a battle of the experts, which reminds me of the opening paragraph of ‘Painting the town green’: “anyone slightly confused about exactly what makes an eco-town can be reassured - the experts don’t really know either.”

The article makes the good point that the “eco-friendliness” of these towns works only with the combination of design and a commitment of those who live there to a greener lifestyle. Will there be enough public transport put on to limit car journeys,for example - and will people choose public transport over their car?

And this where it is hard to persuade people that adding 15,000 homes to the Leicestershire countryside makes sense. The only guarantee they can see is the destruction of their countryside.

As ever, the issue comes down to a hearts and mind battle - pursuading those who will be losing their favourite areas that there is enough in it for them as well as the planet.