2 June 2015, Uttlesford: Residents for Uttlesford (R4U), the local advocacy group for towns and villages, has hailed the Planning Inspector’s decision to refuse the building of 300 new houses on the east of Saffron Walden by developer Kier as a ‘victory for common sense’.
Planning Inspector Mike MooreInspector Moore continued “The harm that I have identified in these respects in combination would be significant. On the basis of the detailed evidence before me, overall the proposals would not amount to sustainable development. I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”
The Kier site was promoted by the UDC Cabinet in their 2014 failed Local Plan. When rejecting the draft Local Plan, the Planning Inspectorate was critical of the impacts to traffic from building on the east of Saffron Walden. This second decision reaffirms those concerns.
Dan Starr (R4U)Dan Starr, co-founder of R4U said “We are delighted with the Planning Inspector’s decision. New homes are needed, but it has been plain for all to see that the east of Saffron Walden is an appalling place to build. The Kier site has been rejected by residents, the Local Plan Inspector, and now the appeal Inspector. This is a victory for common sense.”
Heather Asker (Saffron Walden Mayor – R4U)About Residents for Uttlesford
Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is the local independent party of north-west Essex towns and villages. Formed in 2014 by a number of residents’ groups, the party believes that on local issues residents should decide, not Westminster parties.
R4U leads Uttlesford District Council (UDC). It is the fastest growing local political movement in its district. In its first election in 2015 it became the second party at UDC. In 2017 it solidified its position with a further by-election gain with 60% of the vote. In the May 2019 Local Elections R4U gained majority control of UDC winning two-thirds of the seats. The result delivered the biggest loss of seats by any UK Conservative controlled council in the UK.
R4U’s success has been based on the desire to give local people a voice and implement long range strategic and sustainable plans for their area.
R4U also leads Saffron Walden Town Council, where under its stewardship the council has rebuilt finances, invested in community assets, and won multiple awards, including the best run council in Essex. It is a minority party on Great Dunmow Town Council.
Residents for Uttlesford can be found on the web at www.residents4u.org.
As the appeal was rejected does that mean that Keir have to pay all the costs?
Unfortunately not Geoffrey 🙁