With long ties to Takeley, Maggie is an experienced campaigner on many issues which directly affect residents, which help her role as a district councillor and the UDC Portfolio Holder for Communities.
“I am truly passionate about this area. Having been embedded in Takeley life for years, know the importance of community. We need to care for the specialness of our history and archaeology, the uniqueness of our countryside, and we need strong residents’ representation to make sure proper strategic plans are created for our future.” Maggie Sutton
- Uttlesford District Takeley Ward (Councillor)
Maggie Sutton is an experienced and active campaigner on local issues. She believes that to make a difference people have to get up and get involved.
Maggie knows the importance of community. She knows that Takeley has a strong active community, good schools and nursery, along with many clubs and associations at its heart. She served as a Governor at Takeley Roseacres School for during the period its move to the new site.
She is also passionate about the local area, its history, archaeology, and countryside.
Maggie was previously a member of the executive committee of Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) from its inception in 2002, working out of the office at The Old School in Takeley for much of that time. She says that being part of SSE gave her “a massive opportunity to become familiar with every part Takeley where I have attended and helped organise many consultation, campaign, outreach and fundraising events. Through that I have association with many Parish council representatives and many, many people who live in the area.”
Of the airport, she says “I am very aware what being a neighbour to Stansted Airport means for Takeley residents. Clearly there are jobs, but also major concerns about noise, light and air pollution, and major traffic and parking issues.”
Maggie also served on the committee of campaign group Stop Easton Park. She believes that the siting of Landsec’s proposed new town would be extremely detrimental to the area of historic area of Easton Park and beyond. She believes that strategic planning must be undertaken and proper controls put in place to protect the uniqueness of our countryside as our district expands.
Maggie realised she needed to take the next step to represent residents, and so joined R4U.
She said “As I attend UDC council meetings on matters such as housing and the airport I become very concerned and anxious. I saw that those elected to represent us here simply take their lead from the party they represent in parliament. It seems evident that local people do not matter to them. I joined R4U to be the residents’ candidate to represent Takeley and the communities of Broxted, Chickney, and Little Canfield. I truly believe, Residents for Uttlesford provide the ONLY platform we have to be properly represented at in the district council.”
Since being elected to UDC, Maggie has represented the Takeley ward. She is also the UDC Portfolio Holder for Communities.
Maggie Sutton has strong family and community ties to the Takeley ward. She lived in Boxted for many years while her children were growing up. She has five grown up children, all which live in Uttlesford. She currently lives in Lindsell with her family.
Experienced councillor Richard Freeman lives in Saffron Walden, where he restored the Town Hall, purchased trees and salt bins, supported Bridge End Gardens and has worked tirelessly to ensure that developers have finally provided a safe playground at Tudor Park and two new playing fields in Lime Avenue.
Dr Mike is a well-known and respected GP from the Thaxted Practice who delivered healthcare to the residents of surrounding villages from 1986 until he recently retired. He became a district councillor in 2019. He is a strong supporter of environmental causes.
Richard has lived in Thaxted for 30 years. He has impeccable credentials to work to protect the ward from over-development. He’s an Essex Trustee of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and former Chartered Surveyor who has worked for DEFRA, English Heritage and Historic England.
Long-time Thaxted resident Martin has been a UDC councillor since 1995. He’s a visible campaigner for our rural environment against over-development and to save our local libraries from ECC cuts.
With long ties to Takeley, Maggie is an experienced campaigner on many issues which directly affect residents, which help her role as a district councillor and the UDC Portfolio Holder for Communities.