A COUNCIL duo have stepped up to fight for the best deal for Halstead when future homes plans are put forward.

At Monday’s full town council meeting, councillors David Hume and Dave Gronland were selected to lobby developers and Braintree Council on the town’s infrastructure.

The pair will aim to protect the interests of Halstead, ensuring that there are school places available, infrastructure is supported and resident concerns are brought forward.

Mr Hume is set to assemble a list of planning applications, including any already approved, any in consideration and any which the town council expect to see in the near future, with the list being made available to the public.

Mr Gronland said: “Unfortunately we cannot stop plans, but what we do have is a lot of local knowledge, which allows us to see other aspects that developers do not.

“We share a lot of concerns with residents, we are concerned about surgery times, about school places, and the state of roads in the town.

“But as a council, what are we saying to the people? We want to be a voice for the people of Halstead, we want to be able to take their concerns forward.

“In many ways, we need to be a pressure group, showing residents that we can support them and we are concerned.

“It seems inevitable that more houses will come, but we must fight to ensure the town has the infrastructure to support those homes.”

Mr Gronland made his concerns about a lack of overall picture for infrastructure and housing known at February’s meeting, and was quick to put himself forward to work alongside Mr Hume, who was selected due to his wealth of experience as both a town and district councillor.