HARLOW: New housing minister Mark Prisk denies that his campaign against the 10,000-home Harlow North scheme in his constituency area will make it difficult for him to champion housing growth in other parts of the country.
Mr Prisk made opposition to the Harlow North scheme a key part of his election campaign in 2010, and continues to oppose the plan, which was brought forward by Land Securities and Places for People. It involves a 10,000-home expansion north of Harlow, Essex, into greenfield land, including some green belt.
The development is backed by Labour-led Harlow council, which says it is essential to manage the townÕs growth, but is opposed by neighbouring council East Hertfordshire, under which the scheme would fall.
Mr Prisk sided with East Hertfordshire and joined with the Stop Harlow North (SHN) campaign in opposing the development. The scheme was included in the east of England regional plan, but has effectively been on hold since the government scrapped the regional spatial strategies.
