News
We can use brownfield sites for a million homes… and save our countryside
Monday 9 July 2018
It might seem obvious to many of us, but if we focus attention on building on brownfield (previously developed) land rather than greenfield sites, we will be both making better use of derelict urban and post-industrial land and safeguarding our countryside from development. However, not everyone would appear to agree and CPRE’s contention that we […] Read more >
Stansted: north Essex escapes the worst but threat of expansion still hovers
Sunday 8 July 2018
The announcement in June that the government was backing a third runway at Heathrow Airport made front-page news – and campaigners against Stansted expansion were of course relieved that the Essex airport didn’t feature in a story that has something of a never-ending feel to it. Stansted had already failed to make the final round […] Read more >
Hatfield Peverel in the spotlight as BBC camera crews visit
Saturday 7 July 2018
Essex took centre stage when BBC’s Countryfile visited Hatfield Peverel. The TV cameras were in the village, close to the A12 between Chelmsford and Witham, for a feature on land agents that look to exploit planning loopholes and force through housing developments outside adopted Local Plans and against residents’ wishes. National attention focused on the […] Read more >
What are we to make of the 25 Year Environment Plan?
Friday 29 June 2018
The publication earlier this year of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan met – as perhaps is the case with most things emanating from our political leaders – a mixed response. It was difficult to argue against the principles it embraced and most commentators have broadly welcomed the plan, although it has been criticised for […] Read more >