http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articlearchive.php Recent Press Articles from Saffron Walden Liberal Democrats en-GB Saffron Walden Liberal Democrats http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2008 Saffron Walden Liberal Democrats 2008-12-02T01:01+00:00 United Kingdom http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000014/ecotown_make_your_views_heard_now.html The proposal for a new town between Elsenham and Henham is bad news for Uttlesford and East Hertfordshire districts. We all tend to think that any development more than two miles from home is out of sight and out of mind; thankfully not in my backyard. How wrong we would be. 2008-06-22T21:51+00:00 http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000013/ecotowns_information_note_on_ecotown_additionality.html Varying opinions have been expressed about whether central government's proposal for a 5-8,000 homes (or more) eco-town at North East Elsenham would be additional to existing housing targets. Uttlesford's current published target is 8,000 homes between 2001 and 2021 as laid down in the East of England Regional Spatial Strategy. This number is a moving feast as the council also has to plan in its LDF 15 years ahead, which today means until 2023/24. The annual required rate of delivery averages about 425 homes per annum and probably higher towards the end of this period. Taking account of those already built or planned, the current outstanding total for which locations need to be found for the period until 2024 is 4,200 homes. There is no reason at present to expect the targets to end in 2024. The next full revision of the regional plan will run from 2011 to 2031 and growth will continue and annual rates may be higher than now. 2008-04-27T10:03+00:00 http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000012/ecotowns_conservatives_must_show_contrition.html "Rather than putting a strain on the infrastructure of other established communities, creating a new community has become a realistic option, particularly as Government guidelines have changed and now regard communities of 5,000 as sustainable." These were the words of Cllr Jim Ketteridge, Leader of Uttlesford District Council, in an official Council press release on 7 September 2007 as justification for Cllr Susan Barker's Option 4 'Helshenham' 3000-home eco-settlement, supported in a Conservative Party meeting three days earlier. 2008-04-27T09:51+00:00 http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000011/should_heads_roll_ask_angry_local_residents_as_ecotown_tragedy_turns_to_farce.html The past three days have been a surreal experience for residents of Elsenham, Henham and the rest of Uttlesford district. There are the beginnings of a grass-roots mood that heads should roll at Uttlesford District Council. What do you think? See the opinion poll at: http://saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/ 2008-04-06T12:30+00:00 http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000010/decent_delay_or_dithering_is_there_a_better_way_than_an_avalanche_of_ecotowns.html Uttlesford council and district now faces a challenge to equal a second airport runway. Four developers have applied to the Government to build eco-towns; three in the Dunmow/A120 area and, of course, at 'Elshenham'. What was described as a brilliant idea in September last year is rapidly becoming a nightmare for the council, the district and its residents. 2008-03-21T11:29+00:00 http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000009/who_is_running_the_shop_at_uttlesford_district_council.html We wish to know who is running the shop at Uttlesford District Council. Crucially, which councillor approved the main core strategy consultation document, whose introduction alarmingly anticipates the development of a sustainable two-runway airport at Stansted? This looks at best like careless talk and at worst like a white flag. 2007-12-08T10:13+00:00 http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000008/change_what_change.html One could be forgiven for thinking a general election were imminent from the tone of Alan Haselhurst's article (Herts & Essex Observer, July 19)) 'Change? What change?' 2007-07-23T22:57+00:00 http://www.saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk/articles/000007/uttlesford_district_councils_response_on_post_25mppa_growth_at_stansted_airport.html Following press reports I have been asked about the attached document that was approved unanimously by Uttlesford Council last week. I thought I would send it more widely as many of you on my email list are involved in the same quest to ensure that Stansted Airport only grows if it can do so sustainably against environmental, social and economic measures. 2006-01-01T19:12+00:00