Consultation Portal

We disagree with the consultants' suggested approach in respect of growth north of Harlow. It is unsustainable and will do untold economic and environmental damage. It fails the essential tests of soundness and deliverability. By their own admission, if the constraints of the East of England Plan are removed, Option C in their report is the preferred option. This does not involve building in East Herts to the north of Harlow.

There is no longer any need for East Herts Council or others to distribute development in accordance with policy HA1 of the East of England Plan as the Plan has been revoked by the new Government. The independent Examination in Public in 2006 concluded that this aspect of the Regional Spatial Strategy was flawed and should be removed from the Plan. There is no money to pay for the necessary infrastructure.

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We strongly object to major built development north of Harlow. The green fields north of Harlow are not suitable as a broad location to meet district wide housing requirements on sustainability, planning, environmental, social, infrastructure and economic grounds.

The towns and villages north of Harlow should be treated in the Local Development Framework no differently from other towns and villages of similar size and character in the district.

We support limited housing to meet local needs in accordance with locally developed parish and town plans.

We support the local community's plans, developed in 2006, for Gilston Great Park north of Harlow.

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