People in Stansted are desperate for a new health centre. Most just want one that works wherever it is located. A site at Forest Hall Park was rejected by vociferous residents as being ‘too far out’. It’s still uncertain whether the latest more central proposal in Lower Street will meet planners’ expectations. New highway and parking proposals are still to be checked out by the county council.

Meanwhile, a head of steam has been building against the design of the proposed building; a 5-storey conglomerate of health centre, supermarket and apartments on top. There is no denying that the building will dominate all around it. It has been likened to an ocean-going liner.

A Facebook group, Stansted Matters, and its members have been running an active campaign of opposition. A couple of weeks ago I arranged for two representatives of Stansted Matters to meet the developer, Bill Bampton. Needless to say, there was no meeting of minds but there is now greater understanding of the background. It was noted that no one had bothered to consult the public or councillors on alternative building designs before “steaming ahead”.

The only issue that I have come across repeatedly on the doortep in the past week’s canvassing for the parish council elections is opposition to the design of building at that location. The parish council is due to make up its mind on the planning application of April 18th. I will go along. I hope by then there is some technical advice on whether the roads can cope with the traffic.