Rishi Sunak accused of 'own green goal' after £230m 'green city' project scrapped

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The government has abandoned plans for the UK's largest net-zero city, which would have been located about five miles outside of Oxford , the abandonment of the plans being condemned as an ecological objective

Rishi Sunak has been accused of making an "ecological goal" (

Image: PA)

Rishi Sunak has been accused of an environmental goal after hopes of a £230million green city were dashed.

The pioneering plan would have created the largest net zero city in the UK five miles from Oxford.

But the government has torpedoed the idea - saying homes are not required to meet the ambitious zero emissions standards set by the council.

This comes despite Sunak's pledge for Britain to reach net zero by 2050 - a target which critics say the government must do more to achieve.

Activists have filed a complaint with the High Court against the decision, accusing it of blocking local efforts to tackle climate change.

Plans for net zero city have been canceled

Hugh Ellis, Policy Director of the Town and Country Planning Association, said, "The decision to sabotage this development is a disaster for future generations."

The eco-friendly development, called Salt Cross Garden Village, included the construction of 2,200 homes, two schools and a science park.

Nestled in the countryside, it would have been powered by renewable sources like solar energy.

West Oxfordshire District Council, which drew up the plans, said the eco-town would be worth £700million when completed.

It was intended to serve as a national example for future housing developments.

The council said it hoped to build an "exemplary garden village, creating a new green, climate-friendly, safe and inclusive community".

But government town planning inspectors, consulted on major projects...