NEW Letter Templates

Please email or post the new letter below - BEFORE 12th MARCH 2012

The battle may be won but the war continues. The next phase is to ensure we all write, email, upload via the planning website (see the below 'appeal what to do' document) our views to the Planning Inspectorate.

Below is the new letter to send to the Planning Inspectorate. Below that, the 'appeal what to do' document is instructions on how to send, email or upload the letter.

Residents' letter to inspector (Microsoft Word Document)
Residents' letter to inspector (PDF)

Appeal what to do (Microsoft Word Document)
Appeal what to do (PDF)

Have your say in how Old Harlow and Churchgate Street is developed.

What is the purpose of this site?

This site has been established in partnership with the Harlow Civic Society (www.harlowcivicsociety.org.uk) to provide local residents with the information and background to the proposed large scale housing development planned for Gilden Way.

With this information residents will be able clearly voice their opinions in an informed manner to Harlow Council.

Background and the proposed development

Harlow Council engaged consultants to advise on identifying areas for the development of 16,000 dwellings to support the growth predictions for Harlow in the next 10-20 years. Following the consultant's report Harlow Council has initiated a Local Development Framework (LDF) document which outlines the guidance provided to Harlow Council and the Council's chosen areas for potential development.

Harlow Council is in discussions with three national house builders Barrett, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon, to build 1200 new homes on land north of Gilden Way, the first tranche of a proposed wider development of 5000 to the east of Harlow. This is despite recent approval to extend the New Hall development to the Gilden Way and Mark Hall school boundaries providing an additional circa 1500 houses.

How will it affect me

The scale of the development will mean in brief:

Significantly increased traffic along the complete length of Gilden Way from Mark Hall school to and beyond Marsh Lane / Sheering Road, increasing the already high traffic volumes and gridlock in peak travel times. The Gilden Way development will clearly compound the problems we all face upon the completion of New Hall.

The loss of a significant archaeological site dating back to the iron age, along with 25 hectares of farming land, enough to provide xxxx tonnes of produce and open areas for dog walking and general enjoyment.

The scale of the development will rise on a ridge and overlook large parts of Old Harlow / Churchgate Street, in particular The Oxley's, Watlington Road and Guilfords.

A significant impact on neighbouring sensitive sites including The Gibberd Garden, The Forebury and Harlowbury.

The loss of a community, both local people and people from outside the area move to Old Harlow and Churchgate Street to enjoy its openness and easy access to the country side.

What you can do

Firstly

Respond to the LDF in the link below by 5pm on 28th January 2010 supporting the views of the Harlow Civic society and concerned local residents who have launched this website, adding your own views.

Contact your local councillor to make your views known in a positive manor, use the letter templates if you wish see the Councillor contact in the menu bar top left.

Secondly

Request Harlow Council support and engage with Localism Bill, (Harlow Council has decided to continue with the soon to be defunct LDF process until the Localism Bill has been passed by the government) which will allow local residents a far greater say in how their community is developed.

Thirdly

Make any donation you can to help us, the website has been kindly donated by a local resident, however we need further support in particular legal advice.