It's time the Tories ditched their new town plan (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

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

It's time the Tories ditched their new town plan

August 23, 2010 11:53 AM

Lib Dem Councillors Catherine Dean, Alan Dean and David Morson protesting with local residents against plans for an eco-town at Elsenham. In a letter to local newpapers, Uttlesford Liberal Democrats' planning spokesman Councillor Catherine Dean writes "The scrapping of the targets for the number of new houses to be built in Uttlesford, which had been imposed by the Regional Planning Panel, gives Uttlesford District Council the opportunity to decide what level of housebuilding is appropriate. The Liberal Democrat-Conservative Coalition Government announcement that all new housing developments should have the support of local communities also gives the opportunity to reject a new settlement anywhere in the District, which from the start was the least popular option."

"The Conservative leadership of Uttlesford District Council must make its intentions known sooner rather than later. There has been a deafening silence on this topic since the General Election. It must start by rejecting a new settlement at Elsenham and Henham, a proposal which has many serious flaws and no popular support."

Councillor Dean continued "The Liberal Democrats have consistently advocated a dispersal of new houses around the District. We would be upfront about the need for homes based on sound studies, and work with local communities to achieve new developments proportionate to their size. A priority would be to meet the urgent need for affordable housing, so that those who have grown up in Uttlesford can stay if they wish."

"Local Conservatives can no longer hide behind the smoke screen of imposed housing numbers. They must admit that they have got the present housing strategy wrong and seek to remedy it as soon as possible."