NOTICE OF ELECTION

Town Ward: Great Dunmow – South Ward
Number of Town Councillors to be elected: One

1. Nomination papers may be obtained from Uttlesford District Council’s website or from the Returning Officer who will, at the request of an elector for any electoral area prepare a nomination paper for signature.

2. Nomination papers must be delivered by hand to the Returning Officer, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4ER on any day after the date of this notice (excluding bank holidays) between 9am and 4pm but no later than 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2026.

3. If any election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026.

4. Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Monday 20 April 2026. Applications can be made online: gov.uk/registertovote. For electors voting at a polling station, you must bring photo identification. A full list of the prescribed forms is listed on our website and on the reverse of your poll card. For those who require a Voter Authority Certificate or an Anonymous Elector Document to meet the requirement for photo identification, applications can be made at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk.

5. Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4ER by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026. Apply online at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

6. New applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4ER by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026. Apply online at gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.

7. Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election on grounds of physical incapacity or for work/service reasons must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4ER by 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026. The physical incapacity must have occurred after 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026. To apply on the grounds of work/service, the person must have become aware that they cannot go to the polling station in person after 5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

Dated: Friday 27 March 2026
Printed and published by the Returning Officer, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4ER

Following advice and with the assistance of the Environment Agency and a generous donation from an overstocked local angling club, 78 carp were successfully rehomed to Doctors Pond on Friday 20th March.

All fish were health-checked prior to release to ensure that they were healthy and free from parasites. Ben Norrington, from the Environment Agency, confirmed that this number of carp is a appropriate and healthy stock level for a pond of this size, in contrast to the 2000+ carp that were previously rehomed.

He also advised that the Environment Agency will be providing tench during the winter months, and will additionally help maintain the ecological balance of the pond by topping it up with small perch. These perch act as a natural predator, helping to control eggs and detritus and supporting a stable, healthy environment.

Mr Norrington expressed that he was very pleased with the current condition of Doctors Pond and thanked the Town Council, local fisheries and other advisers for working collaboratively to achieve such a positive outcome in resolving the algae bloom issue.

In line with Environment Agency guidance, fishing at Doctors Pond should NOT resume until the closed season ends on 15th June.

Heating Oil – Support for vulnerable households

You may have seen the government announcement of £53m of support for vulnerable households who rely on heating oil.

The support will be targeted to help low-income households in rural communities affected by the recent surge in costs.

The additional funding will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which comes into effect on 1st April and replaces the temporary Household Support Fund.

Locally, the fund will be administered by Essex County Council and all enquiries should be directed to them.

The Cost of Living Support section on the Uttlesford District Council website has been updated to make it clear what to do if residents need help with their heating costs.

Uttlesford District Council officers will also be attending meetings across Essex in the coming weeks and will work to ensure available funds are distributed equitably to those in need.

Polling on Thursday 7 May 2026

Polling will NOT take place this time at the Dourdan Pavilion but at:

The Garden Room, rear of St. Mary’s Church on Church Street, Church End CM6 2AE

If your usual allocated polling station is the Dourdan Pavilion, you will need to go to The Garden Room on 7 May between 7am and 10pm with your photo ID to cast your vote.

If you are unsure of your polling station, you can check this on Uttlesford District Council website /find my polling station or call 01799 510510.

FILLING OF CASUAL VACANCY ON GREAT DUNMOW TOWN COUNCIL (South Ward)

Notice is hereby given that a vacancy has occurred in the office of parish councillor for the above parish arising from the recent passing of the late Peter Childs.

An election to fill the vacancy will be held if notice in writing of a request for such an election is made by ten Local Government electors for the electoral area and received by the Proper Officer, C/o Electoral Services, Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER, by not later than Wednesday 8 April 2026.

If an election is not requested by ten Local Government electors, the vacancy will be filled by the parish council as soon as practicable after the expiry of the date referred to above.

* if the parish is warded, the 10 signatories all need to be from the parish ward where the vacancy has arisen.

Dated: 17 March 2026
Amanda Alexander
Town Clerk to Great Dunmow Town Council

It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Councillor Peter Childs, a respected colleague, former Mayor and dedicated public servant whose contribution to our community spanned many years of unwavering commitment.

Councillor Childs served with a profound sense of duty. As Mayor, he represented our town with pride and championed the values of public service.

Beyond his official duties, Councillor Childs gave generously of his time and supported local causes. His legacy is woven into the life of this town: in the projects he helped shape and the people he supported.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Councillor Childs` family and friends. Councillor Childs` contribution to the council and the wider community will be remembered with gratitude and respect.

May he rest in peace.

UTT/26/0365/SO – Land north and south of The Broadway, Great Dunmow

Request for Scoping Opinion for development of up to 900 dwellings, land for a primary school, a local centre including a mobility hub, coworking space and community uses,
and public open space, including suitable alternative natural green space (SANG) and sports pitches.

At the February meeting of the Planning and Transport Committee, members considered the scoping opinion and agreed that they would encourage residents to make suggestions for consideration for inclusion in the Town Council response to the Request for Scoping Opinion.

The Town Clerk said that the Request for Scoping Opinion was not a planning application but a request from the developer, asking the Local Planning Authority what environmental topics must be covered in a future environmental statement.

She confirmed that a response from the Town Council was not about supporting or objecting to the proposal but could be strategically valuable and could influence:

• What environmental impacts must be assessed?
• What baseline data should be gathered?
• What alternatives should be considered?
• What local sensitivities must be included?

Members discussed the following concerns relating to the proposed development:

• The traffic assessment had been undertaken during covid in 2022/2023 and needs updating to accurately reflect the current situation
• Pinch points include the bridge over the Chelmer, the s-bends, St Mary’s Church, the junction at the top of Lime Tree Hill and restrictions caused by on street parking on St Edmunds Lane
• Councillor Lavelle requested that the Town Council commission a traffic survey to consider traffic management during and post construction
• The number of historic pill boxes within the development area require protection
• The development area is very prone to flooding and is of overall strategic importance in the flow rates within the Chelmer Valley and the routing of the River Chelmer
• The increased flow of water into the River Chelmer caused by the proposed development and the ongoing effect and impact on the onward flow and the need for adequate flood risk assessment, particularly given the stated increase in non-permeable land following construction and also taking climate change into account
• The need for an otter support plan alongside other appropriate water-related assessment and protection measures
• The need for additional doctor surgeries and the two surgeries in the town are already full, noting that Public Health England have not recently been supportive of new provision
• The need for additional secondary school provision
• The need for joined up consideration of already approved development on St Edmunds Lane (90 dwellings), Woodlands Park (500), Land west of Woodside Way (1000), land south of Stortford Road (440)

Residents are encouraged to make suggestions for inclusion in the Town Council’s response by sending an email to the Town Clerk.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) have launched their Public Consultation on proposals to improve the availability of fire engines during the daytime, when demand for services is greatest:

• Complete the survey online

The consultation is open from 17th December 2025 until 22nd February 2026.

• Click here to download your Grant Application Form (PDF)