On 18 October the council voted to approve the draft Local Plan and run a public consultation from Monday 31 October to Monday 12 December.

I argued the plan was too flawed to be a good basis for consultation. It allocates a disproportionate share of development around Epping and Theydon Bois and along the M11 corridor; does not set out clearly how the resulting pressure on local infrastructure such as roads, transport and health services will be addressed and allocates important community and leisure sites for housing (Epping Sports Centre, Coopersale Cricket pitch) without identifying alternative sites where these facilites will be reprovided.

We need a Local Plan but it has to be fit for purpose. I couldn;t quite fit everything I wanted to say into the time available but you can watch what I said on the council website.