D-Day for controversial Dunmow housing development

TUESDAY is D-day for Dunmow as controversial plans for a housing development go before the Planning Inspectorate.

Redrow Homes’ revised application for 73 homes on land to the north of Ongar Road were rejected by Uttlesford District Council’s planning committee in July 2011, and again by the planning inspectorate in February this year.

A second appeal will be heard on Tuesday (December 4) at the council’s headquarters on London Road, Saffron Walden. The meeting starts at 10am.

Efforts were made to move the hearing to the Foakes Hall, but the venue was unavailable.

Helen Tanner, spokesman for the Ongar Road Action Group, is pleading with residents to make the trip to Saffron Walden in an act of solidarity against the plans.

“We’re very disappointed that the hearing couldn’t be moved to Dunmow because I know hundreds of people would have shown up to oppose the plans,” she said.

“But if we can get enough people to fill the council chamber then it will be a huge statement from residents that we do not want these houses on Ongar Road.

“This is the last opportunity for residents to actually have an impact on the decision as to whether the development will go ahead, so we would urge people to be there at all costs.”

Dunmow south district councillors Keith Mackman and Vic Ranger will present the opposition.

Cllr Mackman is confident he has the evidence to repel the application again.

The duo will argue the development is: outside development limits; brings no genuine benefit to the town; noise issues have not been addressed; and extra traffic will make Ongar Road a hazard.

“I want to have a room full of residents staring at the inspector so they can see the strength of local opposition,” Cllr Mackman told the Broadcast.