HARLOW Councillors grilled representatives from the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT) yesterday (6 June) on the proposed Latton Priory development, welcoming progress on key issues including a promise for a new healthcare facility. However, they raised wider concerns about the scheme and pushed for more detail.

Harlow and Gilston was designated as a Garden Town in 2017 and is expected to be made up of several new residential developments around Harlow, including the town itself. HGGT is a partnership of the local authorities involved in the project.

Latton Priory is one of the proposed developments, to be located in Epping Forest neighbouring Harlow’s southern border. A consultation on its Strategic Masterplan Framework was held in December 2022.

At a briefing for local ward Councillors about the project, HGGT confirmed a number of changes have been made to the Framework following representations made by Harlow’s Conservative Councillors in the consultation stage. 

These include new healthcare provision in the centre of Latton Priory, in addition to new schools and sports facilities. 

Sustainable drainage system wetlands between Latton Priory and Harlow have also been added, in a bid to improve drainage and limit any additional pressure on existing infrastructure.

Additional tree screening south of Corner Meadow has also been added to the Masterplan, at the request of residents.

However, the meeting also heard repeated concerns about the pressure new housing would have on Harlow’s already congested road network, questions about plans for a Sustainable Transport Corridor that would run through a green wedge, and an appeal for better consultation with Harlow Council. 

It remains unclear how many properties Latton Priory will have, with at least 1,050 new houses but potentially up to 1,500 new houses.

Staple Tye ward Councillor Alastair Gunn commented, “I’m pleased HGGT and the developers have listened to Harlow residents’ concerns and included healthcare facilities in the plan for Latton Priory. With the recent great news about Harlow’s new hospital, there’s an opportunity to improve community health services in the south of the town too. 

“It remains to be seen what this provision will be, however. I’ve pushed for clearer information and stressed that Harlow needs improved health facilities even without any additional properties.”

Sumners and Kingsmoor Councillor, Nick Churchill added, “The meeting showed that much more thinking is needed on the extra congestion another 2,000 car journeys per day would have on Harlow’s already crowded roads. There’s a real risk of gridlock on Southern Way, Commonside Road and Paringdon Road. 

“Whilst there are proposals on new bus routes which I welcome, HGGT must be far more realistic about the impact Latton Priory would have on our roads and present better plans if they are to secure support from Harlow’s residents and their representatives.”

Cllr Gunn concluded, “Harlow Conservatives have consistently opposed development to the south and west of Harlow and that includes Latton Priory. However, at this stage politicians should be honest with residents that decisions taken several years ago means the scheme is likely to proceed.

“The focus now must be on pushing for the things Harlow needs – better bus services, additional healthcare and quality schools – that Latton Priory could deliver. There’s real progress on that front. 

“However, huge problems remain that need to be called out, especially on transport. I’ll continue to work with fellow Conservative Councillors and HGGT to improve the Latton Priory proposal on behalf of Staple Tye residents.”