A lot of people - and not just Conservatives like me - were really quite disappointed by the article "Tory MP Spelman in new row over Uttlesford homes". [Herts & Essex Observer]

The impact of Gordon Brown's central planning system in Uttlesford - and the imposed duty to build a ludicrous number of houses - were something which John Salmon and I highlighted when we stood for the Council as Conservative candidates. Sadly, you have consistently elected not to highlight the role of central government in the problem and allowed the Liberal Democrats repeated "free-hits" on the subject.

Prior to the District election, John and I observed that at least one of the local Liberal Democrat candidates in Stansted was advancing what we know as "Helshenham" as a potential solution for the imposed requirement to build homes in Uttlesford. We made it clear that we stood on a ticket of organic development - small sites being developed where necessary with an emphasis on keeping local life-blood in our villages.

A lot of people - including, it seems, "top Tory" Caroline Spelman - are doing all they can to save the area, and delay the disastrous consequences of Gordon Brown's dictats until a sensible Government can abolish them. Caroline obviously hails from Henham and, rightly, wants to preserve the area for as long as she can. However, until Mr Brown's dead-hand can be removed from the tiller, there is still a legal duty to plan for the building of unrealistic numbers of new homes. There are huge penalties for any Council that fails to.

In the circumstances, it is particularly unhelpful for people to be criticised for doing the legal minimum in the meantime, or for encouraging people to do no more than that. However, step forward Alan Dean - the Liberal Democrats unsuccessful County Council candidate. He obviously saw a another cheap political anti-Tory point to be made and, sadly, you allowed him to make it. Doubtless we can look forward to more of these in the run-up to the election?

A more important is waiting to be written about the new requirement to build another 39,000 homes in East Anglia in the next cycle of development. As the last meeting of Stansted Parish Council shows, Conservative County Councillor Ray Gooding, Conservative District Councillor John Salmon and I had plenty to say about that then. Sadly you were elsewhere.

Perhaps your reporter was interviewing Mr Dean, who was also not there? Indeed, I can't remember the last time he came to see us.

Cllr Jonathan Rich
Parish Councillor, Stansted North

Tags: Local Development Framework Liberal Democrats Uttlesford