The current Conservative administration is proposing to build 4000 houses in and around Clacton without the supporting jobs. They also proposed a dual-carriage way across the countryside between Weeley and Ramsey, only to withdraw it after protests. Whose planning is in a mess? 

 

Tendring District Council is pushing for most of the housing needed for Tendring to be built in Clacton, with close to 4,000 new homes squeezed wherever possible. 700 homes are earmarked for Sladbury’s Lane, leading to widespread protests by Clacton and Holland-on-Sea residents. Their concerns range from the addition of 1000+ cars to the already congested Valley Road to the absence of related jobs in an area of high unemployment. 

 

Local anger has already been directed at TDC’s Conservative Administration for not ensuring facilities to support the current population, let alone any increase. Last year, they opposed the new Doctors Surgery in Holland-on-Sea, despite a Full Council decision and a 2-1 majority of residents in favour. 

 

The final straw is the recent refusal by Planning Portfolio Holder, Carlo Guglielmi, to consider further consultations with local residents. Exactly at the time when the Conservative Government is pushing down planning decision-making to local area groups (like Sladbury’s Lane and Holland-on-Sea), their local colleagues at TDC are doing exactly the opposite, ignoring residents’ objections and wishes.