North Essex Garden Communities Ltd is still intent on promoting the same three garden towns found unsound by a planning inspector. (This is the company with nothing to deliver and a budget of £3 million for this financial year.)
We know it is arranging meetings with community groups and parish councils. Those approached should be aware this is not about whether the “garden communities” are a good idea.
It will be an exercise to tick the community engagement box.
A healthy dose of scepticism is required. Questions to ask include:
• When will the viability appraisals be published? We do not believe infrastructure promises until we see where the money is coming from.
• How can the public object to any of the new towns that you are promoting? Our meeting with you does not imply acceptance of the three garden communities. We have many concerns about these, which were not addressed in the previous consultations.
• What written evidence do you have you can compulsory purchase the land at existing use value rather than hope value?
• Why are you promoting the three garden communities which were found unsound?
To ensure balance, we are happy to meet with anyone with questions about the garden communities.
Rosie Pearson on behalf of
Campaign Against Urban Sprawl in Essex
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