Council meeting gives go-ahead for fresh housing consultation

10.02.00am GMT Sat 5th Dec 2009

Uttlesford Conservatives' proposed new town in Elsenham and Henham.

Last week's environment committee meeting at Uttlesford District Council saw all possible housing options back on the table - ranging from the concentrated Option 4 new settlement approach (preferred by local Conservatives) to a dispersal strategy across all towns and most villages (preferred by local Liberal Democrats). However, Option 4 of 3,000 homes at Elsenham plus 1,000 homes dispersed to various settlements still remains the Conservative-led council's officially preferred option. A report on the meeting can be read at Alan Dean's blog: http://alandean.mycouncillor.org.uk/

Last week's meeting was about the consultation process and not about arguing the merits (if there are any) of NE Elsenham. This is why the Lib Dems voted for the consultation but abstained on part of the vote that described the council's preferred housing option, rather than voted against it. We are against Option 4 but want to see it tested in the court of public opinion against the technical reports that increasingly undermine the council's plan.

Discussions are continuing between councillors and council staff to make sure that this public consultation is handled much better than the one two years ago.