Dear Sir

In late 1999, the Campaign Against Stevenage Expansion (CASE), took legal advice on the number of houses to be built inside a new Green Belt boundary west of the A1(M) at Stevenage. This kick started both Herts CC and N Herts DC to take their own advice with the result that the first phase of the proposed development was limited to 5000 houses.

Then Tim Akeroyd, CASE Chairman, wrote to all NHDC councillors advising them of the implications of John Prescott’s new planning guidance.

The Conservatives have always told CASE that if they were given the weapons to fight the scheme they would do so. It is ironic that John Prescott has thrown a life jacket to the people of N Herts and Stevenage. Will the Conservatives wear it?

The latest legal advice from the top QC is crushing. He says that Herts CC and NHDC cannot proceed without a comprehensive review. The political climate has completely changed against the kind of sprawl proposed at Stevenage in favour of CASE’s view that houses should be built in small groups where they are needed, for local people. We have a fine example of such new development in Queen St. Hitchin.

Of course there are problems. The planners, some of whose jobs depend on the scheme may be ducking and diving to put the worst possible spin on the advice. They may pretend that there is not room in each district for the small number of extra houses required annually.

They may warn of legal action from the developers. This is nonsense. CASE has always told the developers that they would lose their shirt speculating at Stevenage as local people were determined to see them off. They have no contract and have always proceeded at risk.

While John Prescott should be praised, the two irascible Old Labour pensioners who dominate Stevenage Council and have pressed to expand their town should be damned. Their dreams threatened Stevenage with traffic gridlock and thousands of incomers whose children would compete with Stevenage children for local jobs. Stevenage needs more work, not more people, and rather than making the town bigger its council should go to Corby to find out how to regenerate it for the better.

Meanwhile, campaigners and local people cannot yet hear the Fat Lady sing, but she is definitely tuning up.

Hitchin SG4 9AZ

John Urwin – Campaign Against Stevenage Expansion