REGARDING?your front page article Housing Plans Met With Public Outcry it is important to note that these proposals have not been endorsed by Uttlesford District Council (UDC) – they are proposals put forward by builders Chater Homes who would like to bui

REGARDING?your front page article Housing Plans Met With Public Outcry it is important to note that these proposals have not been endorsed by Uttlesford District Council (UDC) - they are proposals put forward by builders Chater Homes who would like to build 3000 extra homes next to approximately 830 homes that have been built over the last eight years at Oakwood Park - one mile from Little Dunmow.

Little Dunmow is a small historic village that retains its own distinct identity and is a conservation area with many listed buildings.

There is a community within Little Dunmow and an open invitation exists for villagers to meet once a month in the aptly named Flitch of Bacon pub which has really helped to build supportive relationships.

The precious countryside around Little Dunmow is not something on which developers should build and extend urban mass by joining Great Dunmow (two miles away) along the A120 corridor, obliterate yet another historic village community and join it to an already agreed development and the lovely village of Felsted. Of course there is an outcry!

In deciding how to meet the Government's housing targets, Uttlesford District Council have commenced consultation on four options, the preferred option being a new settlement north-east of Elsenham.

Chelmer Mead is an extra proposal, lodged by Chater Homes utilising the services of a politically astute PR company (Green Issues) with the aim of driving through this alternative proposal.

We must take the possibility of this proposal being accepted by UDC very seriously.

UDC?has advised that people should respond to the formal consultation on the four options provided.

As the Chelmer Mead proposal was put forward at the 11th hour, it was not possible for the council to consider or possibly include details of this proposal in the current consultation.

The district council's current consultation dismisses the option of placing all the housing within the A120 corridor.

Any comments on the new Chelmer Mead proposal should be made to Uttlesford planning office (NOT Green Issues) preferably using

the downloadable

comments form on the UDC website before Friday January 11, 2008.

For more details call the UDC?planning policy team on 01799 510461 or e-mail to planning@uttlesford.gov.uk

Concerned residents of Little Dunmow