THE LEADER of the Harlow Alliance Party has quizzed the leader of Harlow Council on whether there is adequate housing arrangements for Public Health England employees who are set to move to the town.

Nicholas Taylor asked Cllr Mark Ingall, the question at a virtual cabinet meeting on Thursday night.

Mr Taylor said: “In the 1950’s and 1960, many companies relocated to Harlow and part of the incentive to relocate here was that the Harlow Development Corporation would provide rented homes to the company’s workforce.

“In the next five years or so many hundreds if not thousands of people will be expected to re-locate to live in the Harlow area when Public Health England occupy their new premises at The Pinnacles”.

Cllr Ingall replied: “One of the advantages of the exciting move of Public Health England to Harlow is that many of the jobs will become available for existing Harlow residents, however we are encouraging and expect some employees to make the move to Harlow.

“Our ambitious Local Plan allows for the building of accommodation that ranges from flats to executive houses and everything in between, which will provide sufficient stock for any employees of Public Health England that do choose to make the move.

“The housing requirements of affected staff has been raised with Public Health England, however at the current time they are unable to give an indication of what those requirements might be.This matter will remain an item for discussion as the requirements of PHE and their staff becomes clear.