I WAS somewhat surprised and saddened to learn of the recent proposals from the North Weald Conservative councillor and portfolio holder, Dave Stallan to recommend the use of green spaces in Loughton namely, Jessel Drive, Newmans Lane, Oakwood Hill, Westall Road and Willingale Road for housing development.

As part of the East of England Plan the Epping Forest district needs a minimum of 1,352 new homes by 2021, with the appropriate infrastructure. The district covers a wide area from Nazeing through to Ongar and right down to London in the south.

Mr Stallan should have been able to find other sites, including brownfield sites, suitable for housing rather than take the green spaces of a densely populated area such as he proposes.

Building on these green spaces would be no different to building on Theydon Bois village green.

Not only have these contentious recommendations been made at a time when many residents of the district are likely to be on holiday, but they have been made without reference to Loughton Town Council, the administering body for some of the spaces including children's playgrounds.

Following on from the Conservative-led regeneration proposals for The Broadway which could see families living above a commuter car park, sandwiched between the underground line and a new bus terminus, as well as interspaced between access to shop loading bays or up in a nine storey block, nothing should surprise me.

The Conservatives recently rejected the opportunity to build on North Weald airfield and the recommendation to develop locally in Loughton follows on with indecent haste. Anne Grigg, the Conservative councillor for North Weald, said recently that it is important that this council works in partnership with other councils and avoids the possibility of an urban delivery vehicle imposing decisions upon us. But the only urban delivery vehicle riding roughshod over local residents is Epping Forest District Council's Conserv-ative-led administration.

These proposals show the Conservative’s complete disregard for the quality of life of the people of Debden. Tom Owen, Broadway ward councillor, Loughton Town Council, Lower Park Road, Loughton.