I have to respond to the letter “No legal requirement for Gavin Way bus”

(Gazette, February 2).

There is a legal requirement for a bus to serve the development. The area is the new end of Gavin Way, Colchesyer and the cul-desacs off it. This has been checked by the monitoring officer at Colchester Borough Council four times and by Essex County Council.

The county delivered a detailed letter to all Gavin Way properties, dated January 24, in which is stated: “This agreement obligated the developer to provide a bus service that serves the development”. It goes on to say it was a prerequisite for planning permission.

The information is automatically available to any solicitor or conveyance which paid the land charge fee during searches, therefore potential purchasers should have been made aware of it.

Network Colchester is changing the 8 and 8a routes as a result of its review last autumn. This was published incorrectly as the county council.

Highwoods independent councillors have worked hard clarifying the situation.

We stated from the outset that we are pro-public transport. Many residents don’t have access to a car and are reliant on buses. We have asked questions on residents’ behalf at two meetings with Network Colchester and have kept residents updated.

Gerard Oxford
Highwoods
Independent Group
Princess Drive
High Woods