STANSTED Parish Council has had nearly 1000 questionnaires returned in its process to create an ambitious new Parish Plan. The council issued two questionnaires per household to around 2500 households at the beginning of July. Council chairman, Cllr Geoff

STANSTED Parish Council has had nearly 1000 questionnaires returned in its process to create an ambitious new Parish Plan.

The council issued two questionnaires per household to around 2500 households at the beginning of July.

Council chairman, Cllr Geoffrey Sell, stated that the council is "very pleased with the response so far" but announced that the deadline for returns has been extended in a bid to top the 1000 mark.

Cllr Sell said: "This is a unique opportunity for residents to contribute to the most ambitious consultation exercise the parish council has ever done.

"It will be invaluable in preparing the Parish Plan which is intended to be completed next year. It will be then submitted to Uttlesford District Council and will if adopted be used as planning policy guidance."

Stansted's Parish Plan was completed in the early 1990s and a lot has changed since that time.

Some of the main issues the questionnaire has looked to address are, among other factors, resident's views on development pressures, Stansted Airport, and their wish list for the future.

The council also issued separate questionnaires to businesses and young people aged 11-18 to gage their opinion about life in the village.

Completed questionnaires should be returned to the clerk at the council offices. If any resident needs a fresh questionnaire these can be supplied.

Once collected, the questionnaires will be professionally analysed and the results fed back to the Parish Plan Working Party, who will use the data to help complete the Parish Plan.