THE SECOND biggest party on the district council has pledged to remain independent and fight for green spaces.

On May 3 Loughton Resident Association (LRA) candidates will contest all of the town's wards except Roding, where father-of-the-council and independent councillor Stephen Murray is seeking a tenth term.

Started 37 years ago, a key component of the LRA's philosophy and branding is that it is not an opposition party, but one made up of indepedent councillors, free from the constraints of national politics.

The party's 13 district councillors hope this independence and their strong opposition to the Conservative led council's 11,400 home Local Plan will the seven up for re-election taste victory when Epping Forest goes to the polls.

Spokesperson David Linnell said: "Our councillors are independent. They will support good policies, whichever party suggests them.

"However, LRA councillors will oppose bad proposals, like the Conservatives’ proposal to build on Jessel Green.

"Residents and the LRA have been rejecting this idea since it was first suggested in 2008, but all the Conservative district councillors voted for it at last December’s council meeting. "We will defend Loughton’s green spaces in front of the Local Plan Inspector."

Last week Cllr Gavin Chambers said a Loughton vote for the Conservatives who allow residents to 'have a real voice in the running of the council and more influence over policy.'

Mr Linnell argued the opposite.

He added: "Voting locally for a national party is a wasted vote.

"We are very active in following up the every-day matters which matter so much to residents, such as potholes, unemptied rubbish bins, crime and anti-social behaviour, and leisure facilities. We can’t guarantee success but we are persistent and we care.

"LRA’s Plans Group is active in opposing inappropriate planning and licensing applications, informing and supporting residents.

"We listen to residents who can talk to our councillors or meet us at our monthly stall at the farmers’ market in Loughton High Road, so we stay informed of what matters to residents.

"Unlike other parties, we keep residents informed between elections – each year, our volunteers deliver two editions of our Loughton Life newsletter to all Loughton households."

Our website, Twitter feed and Facebook posts keep residents informed. LRA members get extra editions and a regular email bulletin of local news and events."

One LRA councillor hoping for re-election is veteran Chris Pond (below), a town, district and county councillor fighting for one of two Broadway ward seats on a save-Jessel-Green ticket.

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He said: "The Conservative council own it, so with land at £3 million an acre, it's no surprise they want to cash in.

"My aim is to speak up strongly to protect your open spaces and to speak up for Broadway traders as the council has increased rents and given them competition.

"Yes, we need housing, especially starter homes, but we don’t want over-dense building to spoil our environment.

"I ask for your vote on 3 May so I can carry on speaking up for you - to defend your open spaces and shops."

Labour and UKIP have also officially started their local election campaigns.