WASC and the Parish Councils
Wethersfield Airfield Scrutiny Committee (WASC) was formed to consider, respond, suggest and engage with all parties involved in the Mega Prison proposals.
Representatives from twelve of our local Parish councils have become members of WASC and at this stage are actively and independently measuring the impacts such a large scale development could have on our local communities
To date WASC has responded to the proposals with concerns regarding errors in procedure and information presented in scoping documents. Both WASC and SWAP intend to forcefully oppose a planning application for a prison or prisons on the site of Wethersfield Airfield.
A report has been written that analyses government and academic evidence on the scale and siting of prisons. You can read the full report here:
A message from WASC
WASC is a collaboration of Parish Councils that have come together to oppose the plans, as they currently stand, for the mega prisons complex proposed for Wethersfield Airbase. WASC has been formed under the Local Government Act 1972 Section 102 which allows two or more local authorities to come together to form a committee to discharge their function. WASC currently comprises of 14 Parish Councils - Shalford, Wethersfield, Finchingfield, Sible Hedingham, Toppesfield, Great Bardfield, The Salings, Little Bardfield, Panfield , Castle Hedingham, Gosfield, Helions Bumpstead, Ridgewell and Great Yeldham. Each PC has officially discussed and then appointed representatives at their own PC meetings.
WASC is led by parishes whose future generations will be affected by decisions made now. We intend to scrutinise any proposals but also aim to directly influence future plans for the base, in its entirety , making sure any plans put forward fall within local and national planning policy and are sympathetic and beneficial to the area. It is now accepted that large scale housing is not achievable on the site, as acknowledged by Homes England . This has been confirmed to WASC at a meeting with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the department responsible for the sale of the airbase
WASC has a technical sub committee which is spearheading the opposition to the proposals. This sub committee comprises a range of people, volunteering their time, who have relevant professional skills and is chaired by a Wethersfield councillor with over 40 years experience as a senior planner in Local Government. To provide the most robust opposition to the plans a long and extensive work schedule has been underway since October. However there is a huge amount to do and WASC are currently engaging with expert consultants on the following areas - landscape, heritage, ecology, transport/highways etc.
Some of the Parish Councils, including Shalford, have been able to commit funds to WASC so they are able to engage with the above consultants, however, there is a funding shortfall and we need the help of local residents to help fight this battle effectively.
Which leads on to the role of SWAP…
SWAP Stop Wethersfield Airfield Prisons is a campaign group being led by The Fields Association. This is a residents led campaign group, all of whom live locally and are volunteering their time tirelessly. Their primary objectives are 1) to promote and preserve the beauty of the North Essex countryside 2) to help raise public awareness of the prisons proposal 3) to help raise funds to help WASC engage professional firms to fight the proposals 4)to consult with the local community to include their ideas for alternative uses.
So, WASC is the Parish Council led, technical response to the proposals, responsible for responding to any application with detailed expert analysis.
SWAP is the residents led group looking to raise public awareness and raise funds to help WASC in its task of fighting these proposals.