Chelmsford Labour Party have today responded to the local plan consultation currently ongoing with the City Council. There are many aspects to the consultation, but our key responses were as follows:

Chelmsford Labour Party  object to multiple aspects of this plan and consultation.

• Chelmsford and the surrounding area have been subject to considerable growth in the last few decades, any development should be infrastructure lead. Rather than development to meet targets, roads, schools, GP practices and bus routes need to connect and join our communities.

• The Council emphasises that affordable housing will be built. The current Government baseline of affordable is insufficient. For many it is not truly affordable. This needs to be addressed.

• Though some provision is made for affordable and social housing, what percentage is going to be social housing? Including the figures of shared ownership and rent, Chelmsford Labour recommends 35%.

• Can the developers of future parts of Chelmsford guarantee there will be a mix of properties? Luxury five bedrooms houses, which generate the maximum profit for the house builders, won’t solve the housing crisis. A mixture of three and two housing, is what is required.

• Where is the accountability? There is a top down culture from the Government, Essex County Council and Chelmsford City council. All of whom are working too closely with the developers who have a vested interest. Have the figures for housing development been peer reviewed by development experts?

If you wish to participate in the consultation, you can do so here https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy-and-local-plan/local-plan-review-2022/