Lembit Öpik endorses dispersal option

8.11.09am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 3rd Sep 2008

Lib Dem MP Lembit Öpik is backing the fight against Conservative plans for an eco town at Elsenham.

Lembit Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire, and Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, today visited Stansted, Henham, Elsenham and Newport to see for himself the impact that 5000 plus houses in an Ecotown would have on the local community in this beautiful part of north Essex

Parliamentary Spokesman Cllr Peter Wilcock, together with District Councillors for Henham and Elsenham, Cllrs David Morson and Catherine Dean; and Stansted Cllrs Alan Dean and Geoffrey Sell, met Lembit Opik at Stansted station.

They toured the area looking at the Rochford Nursery site, Stansted airport, and the roads surrounding the proposed development. He also met with residents at Bowker Close, Newport to see how affordable small scale development can meet the needs of local people, and has been welcomed by all.

The visit concluded with Lembit attending the meeting of the Joint Villages steering group at Elsenham Memorial Hall, where he listened to a presentation on the progress of the campaign.

Lembit Öpik said "There is a clear need for housing in this area, particularly for young people and families like those I met in Bowker Close. However it is the outcome that is important. It must be honest and have a community-based solution. It is clear that the Joint Steering have achieved a great deal of consensus so far on a scheme to spread the requirements over many villages. Any development needs to maintain the character of this area and meet the excellent quality of life" He offered some ideas to the Steering Group, including the possibility of asking questions in Parliament, and early day motion and an adjournment debate. He also suggested that further work be done to investigate the possibility of flooding with the building of the eco-town.

Peter Wilcock commented, "I was pleased the Lembit had taken the time and trouble to visit the area at my request and see for himself how ludicrous large scale development would be in this area. He made a positive contribution to the meeting of the Joint Villages Committee, and I will be following up his ideas when I meet up with him later this month in Brighton at the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference"

Related Links:

Coverage in the Herts and Essex Observer

Coverage on the Dunmow Broadcast website

The non-party Save Our Village campaign