Within the Local Plan processes there are proposals for three new garden communities across North Essex, one of which is known as West of Braintree and potentially straddles the Braintree and Uttlesford district borders, just north of Felsted.
Felsted Parish Council has consistently objected to the principle of this new town. We are concerned about the impact from traffic passing through our Parish from the eventual 50,000+ residents living in the potential 13,000 new homes. We are also highly concerned about the impact on resources and facilities in the area. Water is already at a critically low pressure and our doctors are full.
We also believe that this new consultation is premature, since it is being held before the Local Plans outlining proposals for the new town have been approved.
The ‘Issues and Options Consultation’ starts on Monday 13th November 2017 and runs until Monday 8th January 2018. If you would like to find out more about the proposals for the West of Braintree Garden Community, exhibition events have been organised as follows:
- Exhibitions to support the consultation are being held at the following locations:
Location Time and Date Great Tey Village Hall, Chappel Road, Great Tey, CO6 1JQ Tuesday 21st November 16.00-20.00 Colchester Market, High Street, Colchester, CO1 1PJ Friday 24th November 10.00-14.00 The Salings Millennium Village Hall, Piccotts Lane, Great Saling, CM7 5DW Saturday 25th November 10.00-14.00 Old Friend’s Meeting House, Rosemary Lane, Stebbing, CM6 3RR Monday 27th November 16.00-20.00 Coggeshall Village Hall, Stoneham Street, Coggeshall, CO6 1UH Thursday 30th November 15.00-19.00 Greenstead Community Centre, Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, CO4 3QE Saturday 2nd December 10.00-14.00 Feering Community Centre, Coggeshall Road, Feering, CO5 9QB Tuesday 5th December 16.00-20.00 Braintree Town Hall, Market Square, Braintree, CM7 3YG Wednesday 6th December 16.00-20.00 Easthorpe Church Hall, Easthorpe Road, Colchester, CO5 9HD Thursday 7th December 16.00-20.00 Rayne Village Hall, 3 Gore Road, Rayne, CM77 6TX Tuesday 12th December 10.00-14.00 Market Field School, School Road, Elmstead Market, CO7 7ET Thursday 14th December 16.00-20.00
Comments on the proposals can be made using forms available at the events, or online here.
It does feel like these consultations are never-ending. However, it is important that we do not give up and let these consultations and proposals pass us by, even if we just repeat concerns already submitted, as we have little confidence that concerns submitted as part of previous consultations will be taken forward and considered.
The impact on Felsted from this new town will be massive and we must all make our opinions known.
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