Proposals from the Boundary Commision for a review of parliamentary boundaries in the eastern region has been published. The Saffron Walden constituency would be eliminated and scattered in three directions. Saffron Walden and Stansted would be joined with Halstead to become North West Essex. Dunmow would be joined to Billericay and parts of Chelmsford to become Billericay […]

We will never know whether Shakespeare had foresight of the 21st century planning dilemma when he used the phrase “hoist with his own petard” in Hamlet. It is hard to deny that the present planning debacle between government ministers and bodies such as the National Trust is a 21st century tragedy. Daily rows in the media contain […]

Here’s what The Guardian’s Comment is Free thinks today is a solution. Meanwhile, Uttlesford is to resume its Local Development Framework never-ending project. Like at many councils, work was effectively put on hold when the prospect of a non-Labour government was on the horizon last year. The Conservatives seemed to promise that no council needed to plan for “unwanted homes”, but now want housing number […]

Harlow has been successful in its bid to become an enterprise zone. The coalition government announced today a list of places which will be given financial support and special powers to encourage business growth to boost the economy, jobs and tackle run down communities. A small district like Harlow is not an island. It’s geographically […]

Discussions got underway last week on rebuilding bridges with the airport and commenting critically on the coalition’s consultation on the future of aviation in the UK. I had reported a meeting of the council’s advisory panel for July, but this was postponed owing to the absence of members from the adminstration group. It was a […]

This week’s shocking rioting in our major cities has exposed the absence of local leadership. Why does the Home Secretary have to come home from holiday to express her outrage and promise action? Because the Mayor of London was also on holiday? Well, he came back too. As did the PM and his deputy before […]

The contradictions and confusions in the government’s planning agenda are grabbing headlines. Uncertainty around Neighbourhood Plans and the intended laissez-faire approach to planning are also causing local tensions. We need an open debate on these important issues; for people across the political divide to argue their case, be listened to and to be understood.  First the headlines: “Neighbourhood planning powers […]

The chickens are coming home to roost, so the chickens need to plan a coop!? It’s looking increasingly likely that the local Tory scheme to turn a blind eye to people who move to Uttlesford to live will get short-shrift from the Tory-Lib Dem coalition. The Tory adminstration decided to cut its future housing targets by ignoring […]

This week’s fascinating events at Westminster and Wapping about the Murdoch empire – News International – have been truly shocking. The worst revelation has been the craven behaviour of national politicians and people in the police – all of whom we need to be able to trust in a mature society – towards journalists’ bosses. They lived in […]

A blanket mist of complacency has settled over the future of airports since the coalition government delivered on its commitment to block extra runways at Heathrow and Stansted. Understandably, many people think that aviation threats to the environment and the economy have gone away for good, or at least for their lifetimes. Walkers on the recent […]