I agree with John Hayter, unelected regional quangos should not be setting housing targets for local communities, but he doesn’t seem to understand the role of the Thames Gateway Partnership (Apr 24).

Thames Gateway South Essex is a partnership of democratically elected local councils in the south of our county.

It is not a quango and it does not set housing targets – that is the Government and regional assemblies’ job. Essex County Council has always argued the partnership is there to deliver jobs-led regeneration not increased housing.

I have consistently opposed the scale of housing development this Labour Government has tried to impose on south Essex and in Rayleigh.

In fact, I have used access to Government ministers the Thames Gateway project has provided me with to argue the existing population needs investment in local infrastructure simply to cope with the growth we have experienced over the past 50 years.

That has helped deliver the £70million investment in Sadlers Farm roundabout, the £130million investment in schools in south Essex and the £1.5billion investment by Dubai Ports in Shell Haven.

One of my first acts when elected to the county council was to oppose plans to build houses on the former Park School site – plans supported by local Liberal Democrats.

Perhaps Mr Hayter should direct his questions in that direction instead.

Stephen Castle
Essex county councillor
Bellingham Lane
Rayleigh