Votes were being counted in Rossington, near Doncaster, last night, shortly after Housing Minister Caroline Flint published new guidelines saying that one person in each home should be able to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work.

Amid mounting criticism of the Government's scheme for up to 10 eco-towns, plans for the Rossington development – one of 13 sites on a Government shortlist – have been scaled down significantly after attracting local and national criticism, and earlier this week Ms Flint's colleague Iain Wright MP visited the community.

The Conservatives are opposed to eco-towns if locals do not want them, while the Local Government Association this week warned of legal action.

Politicians in the former mining village of Rossington said they had decided to hold the parish poll because of claims it was supported by residents.

Coun Jackie Clark, an independent who represents the village on Doncaster Council said: "The people behind this plan say they have had a consultation. They damned well haven't.

"They seem to think that now they have cut down the plans that it is all sorted. It's not on, and we have decided to find out exactly what people think and to do it democratically."

The Rossington eco-town is in Ms Flint's constituency and, if given approval, the 5,000-home project – scaled down from 15,000 – will be built on the site of the former pit. The project is being promoted by the site's owner UK Coal.

Yesterday Ms Flint toughened the standards eco-towns must meet as she battles against criticism the schemes will not really be green.

As well as the requirement that one job per household must be accessible without using the car, 40 per cent of land must be green space, half of which should be parks or open to the public.

All buildings – not just homes – in the town will have to be "zero carbon", at least 30 per cent of homes must be affordable and there may even be a requirement that homes are no further than 800m from a primary school to prevent a new school run developing.

The average home will have to be within 10 minutes walk of frequent public transport and everyday neighbourhood services

Ms Flint said: "These would be the toughest standards ever set out for new development and demonstrate that there will be no compromise on quality with eco-towns."

Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: "It's great to finally hear some rhetoric from the Government on the eco-towns scheme but it's too little too late."

Ministers are still keen to find a suitable site for an eco-town in the Leeds City Region as well, and a final decision on up to 10 potential locations will be made in early 2009.