My 10 year plan for Mersea Island, Peldon, Abberton/Langenhoe and Fingringhoe
1. Protecting the rural character of our area - opposing large housing developments
2. A better Colchester City Council
3. Action on sea level rise and coastal erosion
4. Affordable homes for local people
5. Supporting the rural economy
6. Tackling anti-social behaviour
2. A better Colchester City Council
3. Action on sea level rise and coastal erosion
4. Affordable homes for local people
5. Supporting the rural economy
6. Tackling anti-social behaviour
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1. Protecting the rural character of our area - opposing large housing developments
When Colchester became a “city” I publicly raised concerns about Abberton/Langenhoe, Fingringhoe, Peldon, East and West Mersea being included within the new city boundary. I will fight hard to ensure our area continues to be treated as rural – and oppose any attempts to impose large housing developments on our villages without the consent of local people.
- Stop overdevelopment
- Protect the countryside
- Keep it rural!
2. A better Colchester City Council
Colchester City Council, which has been run by a combination of Labour and the Liberal Democrats for 16 of the last 17 years, constantly focuses on the urban area of Colchester, neglecting rural and coastal communities. It is also close to being at risk of bankruptcy – last year they overspent by £6.8 million and are emptying their reserves to stay afloat and have failed to publish full accounts. Council tax payers deserve far better than this!
3. Action on sea level rise and coastal erosion
Sea level rise
UK sea levels have already risen 30cm since 1900. The mid-range estimates from the UK’s Climate Committee suggest they are likely to rise by a similar amount in the next 25 years. This means that
Coastal erosion
We are already seeing significant coastal erosion and the latest research expects this to massively increase as sea level rises. However, Colchester City Council does not have ANY allocated budget for maintaining sea defences – in fact, sea defence comes under the park’s department! I will fight to change this!
UK sea levels have already risen 30cm since 1900. The mid-range estimates from the UK’s Climate Committee suggest they are likely to rise by a similar amount in the next 25 years. This means that
- Flooding will happen more often in places like Fingringhoe, Mersea and Peldon
- The worst floods, such as those in 1953 and 2013 will occur more often.
Coastal erosion
We are already seeing significant coastal erosion and the latest research expects this to massively increase as sea level rises. However, Colchester City Council does not have ANY allocated budget for maintaining sea defences – in fact, sea defence comes under the park’s department! I will fight to change this!
4. Affordable homes for local people
We also have a housing crisis – far too many local people are unable to buy or even rent their own house. Simply building more homes will NOT lower house prices - not least as a significant proportion of local houses are sold to people from outside the area. I believe we need shared ownership housing to help local people get on the housing ladder.
5. Supporting the rural economy
Keeping jobs in the rural community, helping small business startups and yes I will keep pushing the County Council to ensure we get potholes and highways issues sorted! (and have had some local success there recently!
6. Tackling anti-social behaviour
Too many of our villages suffer from speeding, or even yobbish behaviour. I will challenge Colchester Council and the police to take effective action.