HARLOW'S wish to double its population by developing North Weald airfield, and other land outside its existing boundaries, are being strongly opposed by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing.

Having already told the Guardian that she feels the proposal to build on the former Battle of Britain airfield to be "ill-thoughtout", Mrs Laing has now written to Harlow Council chief executive Doug Patterson detailing her concerns.

She said the council, while seeking the views of its own residents, had ignored people living in adjacent areas.

Her letter states: "It may suit Harlow Council to proceed in an almost imperialist way to secure a larger and greater Harlow in future decades but you will not be surprised if I protest on behalf of my constituents in the adjacent parts of the Epping Forest area."

Mrs Laing said she objected to areas such as Hastingwood and North Weald, and other villages, "being treated as incidental to the greater good of Harlow".

She said the airfield's future must be decided by North Weald villagers and their neighbours in Epping Forest.

"There is an integrity in the Epping Forest area whereby North Weald is closely associated with Epping.

"Unless the people of North Weald specifically and overwhelmingly desire to be associated instead with Harlow, Harlow Council should not interfere in the future of North Weald."

Harlow sees the greatest advantages for the town coming if it doubles its population, currently 84,000, to 160,000 by 2021. Such expansion is possible if the airfield and parts of the Stort Valley, in east Herts.

July 9, 2002 11:30