Nowhere in Uttlesford is now safe! (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

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

Nowhere in Uttlesford is now safe!

April 5, 2008 12:51 AM

Uttlesford Conservatives' proposed new town in Elsenham and Henham.

Elsenham has been short listed for an Eco Town. This would mean an additional 5000 homes for Uttlesford on top of the 4200 homes that the district must already take. Housing Minister Caroline Flint released the list of 15 proposals of which Elsenham is on the list to be considered. Eco Towns must have a minimum of between five and ten thousand houses. The scheme would include 1,800 affordable homes in an area of extreme affordability pressure. There will be a three month consultation on preliminary views on eco-town benefits and the short listed locations. A final decision is due later this year.

Cllr Peter Wilcock, Leader of Uttlesford Council's opposition Liberal Democrat Group said, "This would be on top of the existing allocation of 4200 homes already proposed at Elsenham by the Tory administration that has brought about so much confusion and anger already. Now they would have to find other sites in Uttlesford for those 4200 home, so nowhere now is safe. We are now asking that the Conservative Council campaign with all parties to stop the eco town and find a solution to this mess."

Cllr Alan Dean, Liberal Democrat Chairman of Uttlesford District Council's Scrutiny Committee, said, "There have to be all-party, objective discussions about this increasingly tragic situation. I hope these will begin next week when the Scrutiny Committee considers a public petition asking the Council to improve its public consultation and related activities. Whilst it might be satisfying and healing to discuss how we got here, the reality is we all need to get to grips with the position that Uttlesford now finds itself in and learn how to do better from now on."

Cllr David Morson commented: " The Conservatives by creating Option 4 as the Council's "preferred option" has given both substance and endorsement to this application. They have consistently refused to be definite on the numbers and purposes of any new development, whether it be a new stand alone settlement, or being bolted onto the existing community .At the Environment meeting in September 2007, Jim Ketteridge related the proposal to an eco settlement, whilst at the October Full Council, Sue Barker said the Administration was opposed to any eco settlements for Uttlesford. The damage done to Elsenham and Henham has been unforgivable in its arrogance, incompetence and lack of planning. I hope that we can mobilize all our excellent work so far to influence this decision"

Cllr. Wilcock concluded, "Uttlesford Council's capacity within planning would be severely tested with an eco settlement proposal alongside the application for airport expansion, and a possible planning application for a settlement at Boxted Wood near Stebbing later this year.