Council Reports Recently on the Chesterwell development we received an order for the temporary partial closure of parts of a further three footpaths, (46, 38 & 39 Myland), to allow the next phase of the development to proceed. They provided an alternative route between footpath 46 and footpath 38 – which is provided to enable people to continue to make use of this amenity. Unfortunately, they did not provide any alternative at all for people wishing to use footpath 39. They also seem to be unsure about the precise location of footpath 39 (Myland), as according to the Definitive Statement, footpath 39 (Myland) does not exist! There is a footpath 39 (Colchester) however! Such temporary closures are only granted for a period of six months. This, however, can be extended by a further six months if necessary. The last time footpath 46 was closed for six months a couple of years ago, (with a diversion through Chesterwell Wood), it was extended twice, making a total of eighteen months closure– and then the order expired without the work having been completed. ECC allowed footpath 46 to remain closed without any order being in place for further period of a few weeks. So we will be keeping a close eye on any closures – temporary or otherwise! Robert Johnstone Chair, Myland Access Group Planning & Highways Committee In addition to looking at every single planning application, the Planning and Highways Committee also reads, and occasionally responds to consultations such as the one which was issued by the National Grid called “East Anglia Green”. This was put forward by the National Grid and contains plans for power lines and pylons over 180 kilometres of East Anglia between Norwich and Tilbury. These pylons are scheduled to be 50 metres tall, and run through the precious, historic and rural landscapes of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Essex County Council have responded saying: “We are of the view that there has been insufficient consideration of alternative approaches which would allow for the required infrastructure, but without the sheer scale of the damage to the environment, landscape, and the difficulties of this project going ahead, all at the same time as multiple large-scale infrastructure projects which have the potential to cause major disruption across the East of England”. 9
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