Consensus On New Towns - A Good Start, But More Pressure Needed To Change Plan

11.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2008

Uttlesford Conservatives' proposed new town in Elsenham and Henham.

Uttlesford's environment committee last night (Tuesday 17 June) affirmed the council's opposition to government inspired eco-towns at Elsenham and Hinxton, Cambs. The committee agreed an amendment proposed by Councillor Catherine Dean of the Liberal Democrats to strengthen the Council's opposition to the Elsenham scheme, saying it was not a brownfield site and that government and developer claims of good access to the location were nonsense.

Both Catherine Dean and Councillor David Morson urged the committee to admit that opposition to a 5,000 home eco-town was not credible when a 3,000-homes new settlement remains the council's preferred option for housing. The Conservatives were unwilling to back down from this position, though their only defence was fear of a judicial review claim by the developer if they backtracked now.

Catherine Dean said "I wanted the committee to disown new settlements at Elsenham and elsewhere in the district, but the majority Conservatives aren't ready for that. My amendment was carried unanimously, giving a clear message that it will be very difficult for the government to achieve community support for an eco-town at Elsenham because the council's own 'Hellsenham' new settlement at the same location is so deeply unpopular."

David Morson added "I am pleased we saw the first signs of a wish by the Conservatives to be more consensual in finding a solution to future housing in their admission that no new settlement is popular. Unanimous opposition to the eco-towns was a good start. The Liberal Democrats will maintain their pressure until a fresh housing plan is agreed.