Since my letter last week I have been asked how much money Epping Forest District Council will get in the form of the New Homes bonus paid by the Government.

When plans were first published by the developers for the area known as Latton Priory (on the border of Harlow) it was stated that the 1,050 homes would generate a bonus payment to EFDC of £25 million. Whilst we know these payments are not as generous as they once were, allowing 11,400 homes to be built in the district will raise a huge sum to shore up the council’s finances. On top of this the council now expect those travelling through the forest to have to pay for the privilege!

The Harlow Alliance Party believe that the major infrastructure needed includes a northern and southern by-pass for Harlow and access to and from the north on the M11 at Loughton, giving amongst other things easier access to the M25 and the new hospital being built at junction 7a at Harlow. An extension to the Oyster card scheme to include the two rail stations in Harlow so that fares to London become comparable with those from Epping and Debden on the tube would reduce the number of commuters travelling through the forest from the north to these two stations.

Nicholas Taylor

Harlow