A CANDIDATE in tomorrow's (April 3) Local Election has broken from his party and backed the preservation of a beloved green space. 

In December 2017 the Conservative led Epping Forest District Council voted through the 11,400 home Local Plan. 

One of its most controversial aspects were plans to build 154 houses on Jessel Green in Loughton.

At odds with his fellow Conservatives, Loughton Fairmead candidate George Bose is opposed to the Green's destruction. 

The parliamentary assistant said: "Having grown up in the area and on Jessel Green, I personally do not support the plan and have been open about my opposition to it.

"I know that this is what local residents want and it is what I want.

"For me the biggest single issue in Loughton today is development.

"As a young person who has lived in Loughton for my whole life and wants to stay here, I think it’s important that we see new homes so we can afford to live in the area that we love.

"However, at the same time we need to strike a balance and ensure that we protect our valuable green spaces and have the proper infrastructure."

All other Conservative candidates for Loughton seats - Bob Church, Katherine Harris, Jonathan Hunter, Peter Murray, Neal Bagshaw and Joyce Obaseki - were asked for their positions on Jessel Green. 

None of them replied.

More than 5,000 people signed a petition calling for the Green to be saved, meaning it is likely to be a key consideration for those going to the voting booth tomorrow. 

With the town's dominant Loughton Residents Association serving as fierce and longtime advocates for Jessel Green, Conservative opposition may have a difficult time on their hands.