Chelmsford's fledgling Borough Plan, which includes the controversial scheme for nearly 2,000 more homes at Boreham, looks set to be dumped by the new Conservative controlled council.

And the administration, elected on May 1, taking over from a Liberal Democrat/Independent coalition, may take the government to court to dispute the need for the county town to have to find room for this number of extra houses.

The borough's cabinet meeting next Wednesday, will hear that there is to be an immediate review of the plan, the blueprint for the development of the borough until 2011.

The plan, drawn up by the previous council, is already at an advanced stage and due to go to public inquiry in October. The government's planning inspectorate will be asked to postpone this inquiry along with a pre-inquiry meeting scheduled for later this month, on the grounds that the draft plan is to be formally withdrawn by the new council.

A report from the executive member for planning and transport, Cllr Neil Gulliver, seeking the executive's agreement to the review, says: ''I envisage that this will include the deletion of some 1,900 homes on land north of Boreham, which I consider to be flawed on planning grounds, and its replacement by alternative locations.

''Chelmsford has been required to find room for 11,500 new homes between 1996 and 2011, of which 2,500 were imposed on the borough to make up for shortfalls in the south of the county."

Cllr Gulliver told the Essex Chronicle that the housing aspect of the plan was the main issue. The council would look at alternative locations for the homes suggested for Boreham, but, he said, there could be a challenge to the government on the propriety of having to find room for homes needed by other authorities.

''The possibility of a legal challenge to the government on the necessity to find room for these homes is one of the options which are available,'' he said. ''No option has been ruled out.''

Published Thursday, June 5, 2003

Brought to you by the Essex Chronicle