Councillors have taken a united stand against plans to build more than 2,600 new homes in Dunmow - and called for residents to join the fight.

At an emergency Dunmow Town Council meeting, councillors vehemently opposed proposals for 2,650 new homes in Dunmow, as proposed in the East of England Regional Assembly's (EERA) draft East of England Plan.

The development would either be an urban extension of the town or a new village.

Angry councillors quizzed Roger Harborough, Uttlesford District Council's principal planning officer, on why the town was chosen.

Mr Harborough said it was not entirely clear why Dunmow was chosen.

He said the plan identified towns in the Stansted/M11 area, such as Dunmow, as key areas for development and change, because of their potential for public transport and job growth.

He said the town had a demand for affordable housing.

Mr Harborough defended the plans, claiming once completed by 2021 the scheme would have brought 40,000 jobs to the area, with a transport infrastructure that would not have an adverse affect on the environment or quality of life.

But the Town Council backed a stance devised by town and Uttlesford district councillor Mark Gayler and the Town Strategy Group. The proposals were rejected and the council demanded Dunmow's deletion from the plan.

The resolution also asked for other sites in Uttlesford to be considered for development and, if the scheme was approved, that evidence justifying its need be produced, with the Government providing funding for a sustainable infrastructure.

Fearing the town's potential plight, overwhelmed by public service demands such as schooling, public transport and health, councillors agreed a petition should be drawn up for residents to sign.

Cllr Gayler said: "Local people and the council should decide this matter. It's not for EERA to be forcing this upon us from up high.

"We need to look at the whole of the district because we do have villages that have small schools, pubs and local shops that are not doing well and might support a few extra houses."

Uttlesford District Council will be deciding their position on the plan at full council meeting on Tuesday February 15 at the council offices in London Road, Saffron Walden at 7.45pm.

Local authorities and residents have until March 16 to lodge their opposition to EERA.

Published Wednesday February 16, 2005

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