Tories Embarassed by Option 4

9.43.56pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 10th Jul 2008

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 the press, Lib Dem District Councillor for Elsenham & Henham Catherine Dean has blasted Conservative attempts to hide their support for an eco-town at Elsenham.

"Dear Editor

Here we go again! Yet another attempt by Councillor Sadler to cover the Conservatives' embarrassment over Option 4 with an attack on the Liberal Democrats. Let's put a few facts on the table.

1.3,000 houses at Elsenham was an idea introduced unilaterally by Uttlesford District Council's ruling Conservative group, putting an end to any consensus about the best housing options for Uttlesford.

2.The Conservatives left it to officers to tell the Lib Dem group about this plan just half an hour before the meeting. Where was the spirit of cooperation there?

3.This "helpful" suggestion (as described by Housing Minister Caroline Flint on her recent visit to this area) gave legitimacy to Fairfield's Eco Town bid at Elsenham.

4.The Uttlesford Liberal Democrat Group has never suggested putting a new settlement at Great Chesterford (but a leading Stansted Conservative has!)

5.The Conservatives have repeatedly refused Lib Dem requests over the past 14 months for detailed consideration of other solutions, which could meet local housing need and preserve the shops and schools in existing communities without destroying their character.

Councillor Sadler says he wants political groups to work together, but at the same time he rubbishes the Lib Dem proposal of dispersing houses around the district. How can we start a dialogue on this basis?

It is preposterous to suggest that Elsenham and Henham's Joint Parish Steering Group should do Uttlesford Council's work for it. Yes, they should be a stakeholder along with all parish/town councils and other groups. But it is the responsibility of Uttlesford District Council to lead this process.

At the last Environment Committee Councillor Barker agreed to an all-member workshop to "thrash out" this issue. Let's have that sooner rather than later and invite an "honest broker" to provide expertise and advice to work out a way forward that all councillors can sign up to.

The Liberal Democrats are willing to work with the Conservatives and Independents to find a more acceptable solution for new housing in Uttlesford. But it is the Conservatives who must take the initiative. They are after all the ruling Council group."