Uttlesford
Solar policy and climate-change strategy: two issues guaranteed to stir opinion
Wednesday 1 September 2021
It’s good to see member Richard Haynes keeping the name of CPRE Essex in the spotlight. We have reported before on his letters (see here and here) to the Saffron Walden Reporter on the growing issue of solar farms. Now he has put Uttlesford District Council’s climate-change strategy to the sword, again in the Saffron […] Read more >
More images and some observations to get you thinking…
Wednesday 23 June 2021
A few reflections from the effervescent photographer Gordon Ridgewell to brighten your day and maybe pique a thought or two… “We have a new website at Littlebury: spider.net. Our eight-legged friends moved in about a week ago and the hedge is looking very unwell.” “Waking up from a nap in my armchair the other evening […] Read more >
Bob Robin and a confiding kite
Friday 21 May 2021
The weekend just wouldn’t be the same without a prize shot from lensman Gordon Ridgewell – and this time we can offer you two! Over to Gordon… “I went out and looked over the garden fence because I thought I heard the red kites calling and when I looked round Bob Robin sat about six […] Read more >
This lovely picture of Littlebury proves the sun does still shine
Monday 17 May 2021
Gordon Ridgewell sent us this picture of “our village of Littlebury looking nice in the spring sunshine”. You must have been quick off the mark with this one, Gordon! As this piece is written, it is raining heavily, with the thunder still booming away in the distance. And that, sadly, seems to be the defining […] Read more >
Gordon shares the spring in his step
Thursday 25 March 2021
Spring is, in its familiar fashion, spluttering to life, but ace photographer Gordon Ridgewell is showing no such reticence as he sends us this picture of All Saints Church at Rickling, near Saffron Walden. “I’ve just had a ride out,” he tells us. “The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the flowers are out […] Read more >
There’s always the sun…
Thursday 25 February 2021
As we appear to be emerging from the gloom, Gordon Ridgewell has shared this evocative image with us. “I just let the dog out the back door and this sunset was over Strethall, just over the hill,” Gordon tells us. Not long before it rises again… Read more >
Builder wins appeal for 150 new homes in Saffron Walden
Tuesday 9 February 2021
A developer has won an appeal to build 150 homes in Saffron Walden. The scheme, east of Thaxted Road, had been refused by Uttlesford District Council in February last year as the local authority said it did not provide sufficient green and amenity space. It was also unhappy with the siting of the play area. […] Read more >
‘Solar farms: it’s the landscape that pays the price’
Monday 8 February 2021
With the number of solar farms proposed for Essex growing seemingly every time we open a newspaper, it is timely to share this letter from Richard Haynes published in the Saffron Walden Reporter. Richard is a member of both CPRE Essex and the Uttlesford Local Plan Community Forum. Dear Sir, I refer to Edward Gildea’s […] Read more >
Village to grow by hundreds of homes as out-of-date Local Plan proves critical
Tuesday 26 January 2021
Lack of both an up-to-date Local Plan and an adequate supply of housing land has proved costly for an Essex village, which is to have almost 450 homes built on unallocated sites. Planning inspectors have overturned refusal – or non-determination – by Uttlesford District Council of two schemes at Elsenham. Inspector David Wildsmith allowed Fairfield […] Read more >
Stansted expansion: public inquiry gets under way
Tuesday 12 January 2021
The public inquiry into a bid to increase passenger numbers at Stansted Airport began online today (Tuesday, January 12, 2021). It is being held after site-owner Manchester Airports Group appealed against Uttlesford District Council’s refusal to allow numbers to rise to 43 million passengers a year from the current limit of 35 million. MAG will […] Read more >