Dame Judi Dench protests against eco-town plan in her 'beloved Stratford'

Washington, Apr 7 : Veteran actress Dame Judi Dench has joined a campaign against building an eco-village near the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

The 73 year old actress is furious over British government's plans of a carbon-neutral village about six miles (9.65 kilometres) from Stratford upon-Avon in the heart of England and has extended her support to the locals to fight against the development.

Dench is also worried about the effect the proposed eco-town will have on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

"Stratford is a jewel in the crown of the nation's heritage. There can be very few places in the world of such cultural significance as the town in which the world's greatest dramatist lived and worked. It is folly to put this at risk," Contactmusic quoted her as saying

"I am very concerned about the potential impact the new eco-town will have on the town and its famous theatre," she added.

However, the actress insisted that she is not against the development of eco towns, but the location.

"I should stress that I am not against eco-towns per se - far from it. It is the location of the proposed site - so close to historic Stratford - that gives me cause for concern," she said.

"The BARD (Better Accessible and Responsible Development) campaign's message is very clear: yes to eco towns, but not in a location that will devastate a town of such historical and cultural importance," she added.

ANI