DUNMOW has a new champion to lead the charge against unwanted change in the town.

Gary Warren has stepped up to take the reins of the Dunmow Society pressure group after long-standing chairman Mike Foster stepped down last year. Joining him on the committee is treasurer Pat Hill.

Mr Warren, who joined the society at the end of last year, said he stepped into the role because he had recently retired and wanted to give something back to the community.

He said: “The two main issues I would like to address is to ensure that development does not take place on unsuitable sites, after the allocated locations for the Local Development Framework that are going to consultation, and the pursuit of a clean environment, including litter and dog fouling.”

Mr Warren, who has lived in the town for 21 years, is keen for membership to grow and expects the recent revelation of housing sites to be a catalyst for people to sign up.

He said: “The society can support the town council and residents’ objections by acting as a ‘pressure group’ to oppose development in the wrong places, and to make sure we are doing the best for the people who live here.”