A RAY of light has emerged for campaigners fighting for community facilities in a town centre after the new council leader came out in opposition to rival plans for the site.

Chris Whitbread was chosen as new leader of Epping Forest District Council last night (May 22), after ousting Lesley Wagland as the district’s Conservative group leader following the local elections earlier this month.

Cllr Whitbread is set to meet council officers this week to discuss the redevelopment of the seven acre St John’s Road site in the heart of Epping, which is mostly owned by Essex County Council.

The plans generated fierce controversy, with more than 600 Epping residents signing a petition protesting the option of a new supermarket at the site and calling instead for new leisure or community facilities.

Cllr Whitbread said: “My personal view on the issue is that the St John’s site is not the ideal place for a new supermarket.

“I grew up in Epping and know it like the back of my hand. The St John’s road is a busy road and there is a school at the end of it. I think that there would be highway issues there.

“I will be working to ensure that when the results of the consultation are released they are taken into account by the county council. We are the planning authority here so any development on the site will have to be a result of collaboration.”

However, campaigners were dismayed that the results of the public consultation on the future of the site are yet to be made public.

Steven Harding, 37, who lives in St John ‘s Road, said: “Important information on the effects of a new supermarket were withheld, and if Epping Forest District Council wants to restore public trust nothing short of complete transparency from here on in will do.

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