Stansted Councillors Demand Exhibition On New Town Plans (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

Stansted Councillors Demand Exhibition On New Town Plans

November 13, 2007 8:48 PM

The Liberal Democrats are fighting Conservative plans for a new town near Elsenham.

Liberal Democrat councillors for Stansted are insisting that Uttlesford District Council puts on an exhibition in Stansted before Christmas to show villagers the impact of the proposed Elsenham/Henham new town on Stansted Mountfitchet were it to get the green light. The demand is expressed in a letter to environment committee chairman Susan Barker and planning boss John Mitchell asking for assurances that such an exhibition takes place.

Councillors Alan Dean, John Hudson and Geoffrey Sell also want Stansted residents to be told about the likely effects of the new town on Stansted's road traffic, schools, shops, medical facilities and other public amenities. They say 'Elshenham' would eventually be larger than Great Dunmow.

"This information must be disclosed upfront if residents are to make meaningful responses in the consultation which starts at the end of November. There is no point asking people to make choices if they aren't told the likely implications of all housing growth being in one place or being carefully distributed in several locations", said Geoffrey Sell.

"For example, last week's disclosure that one side effect could be the loss of Stansted's secondary school to the new town shows that a full picture has to be revealed; not just the Conservative Administration's misleading spin on what a so-called eco-town would be like", said John Hudson.

Alan Dean added: "The whole exercise is in danger of turning into the most ill-informed piece of public engagement in the 30 years' life of Uttlesford. Remember that BAA runs comprehensive exhibitions to tell people about their airport plans. Uttlesford District Council should do even better. While Uttlesford did well last year in publicising the runway application, they must not now be allowed to make a dog's breakfast of the housing plan consultation."