FIVE thousand home-owners are only just receiving a consultation document about where to build thousands of homes because they had not been delivered. At its meeting on October 30, the Environment Committee agreed to put four housing options forward for

FIVE thousand home-owners are only just receiving a consultation document about where to build thousands of homes because they had not

been delivered.

At its meeting on October 30, the Environment Committee agreed to put four housing options forward for a six-week

public consultation.

But even now thousands

of homes are still without the leaflet, including Stansted (2176); Saffron Walden (549); parts of The Chesterfords; Great Dunmow (907); Duton Hill; Aythorpe Roding; Little Hallingbury (290); Hatfield Broad Oak (318); Farnham (125); Manuden (221).

Councillors have been rallying round to hand-deliver the leaflets - they targeted Dunmow on Tuesday and Stansted yesterday (Wednesday).

Committee chairman Cllr Susan Barker apologised for the delay saying: "Royal Mail seems both reluctant to take responsibility for its failure or to provide information to assist in putting the situation right.

"The council will be thinking long and hard before considering any future business with Royal Mail."

But she urged people to respond before the end of the consultation, on Friday January 11, 2008.

She said: "I do want to hear your views and am seeking your participation on this key issue for the district.

"I urge you to send in your comments before the deadline, although the council will endeavour to take any additional issues raised in

late responses."

The document is available for viewing at Uttlesford District Council's Saffron Walden offices, at the Thaxted and Great Dunmow Customer Service Centres, at libraries across the district and on the council's website www.uttlesford.gov.uk

l THE District Council has to provide a total of 9672 new homes in the district for the period 2001 to 2024.

Of these some 5500 have either already been built or are allocated for development. But the council still has to find sites for 4200 new homes.

A Royal Mail spokesman

said: "We apologise for any disruption caused and we are currently in communication with our customer.