Essex parish to appear on BBC’s The Politics Show to highlight problems with developer
FLITCH GREEN is to feature on a flagship BBC programme, The Politics Show, highlighting the residents’ battle to force a developer to deliver promised community facilities.
FLITCH GREEN is to feature on a flagship BBC programme, The Politics Show, highlighting the residents’ battle to force a developer to deliver promised community facilities.
The parish is now in its 10th year yet developer Enodis has continually moved the goal posts.
In its original application the developer pledged to build a community centre, two shops, a pub, two playgrounds and three sports pitches within the parish boundaries after 501 houses were occupied.
However, 10 years and 693 occupied houses later and only one playground and a community centre has been built.
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Councillors and residents alike believe they have bought into a “dream”.
Cllr Chris Earle said: “The council represents a community that was promised so much and given so little.
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“Every one of us bought into this dream and to have the developer completely change the plans at this late stage is very disappointing.”
Cllr Emma Nicholls agreed, adding: “There is nowhere for the children to go so we have had a little bit of trouble with anti-social behaviour.
“They are not bad, they’re just bored. The developers need to give our children the facilities they promised. It was the reasons that a lot of us bought our homes here.”
Young mothers in the village have backed the council in its stand against Enodis.
“Building facilities for the community and play areas for the children was part of the deal and they have got out of it,” said Rachel Cannon.
“It is unfair for the children that live here,” said Kelly Duffy. “To have one park is ridiculous considering how many children live here. We need a park like the one in Felsted which is brilliant.”
“If this is what my kids have to look forward to as they grow up then I am very disappointed,” said Hayley Sweet.
The parish council believes Enodis has found a loophole in the planning system, allowing for a delay in building the facilities. A spokesman blamed “constant alterations” to the original application which means that planning aurthority Uttlesford District Council cannot enforce any action.
And, to shed light on the problem, the parish will feature on The Politics Show to highlight their struggle. The programme is being aired on BBC1 on Sunday.
Parish councillors have also called on Sir Alan Haselhurst MP to help break the deadlock and finally get the leisure and sports facilities residents deserve.
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