Priti Patel speaks about Colchester Zoo being able to reopen again

It has impacted on all of our lives and I know many families and businesses have been particularly hard hit.

This horrible virus has taken many lives, left families separated and people facing financial uncertainty and insecurity.

I have been supporting and helping many residents and businesses who have been in contact with me in recent months and continue to do so.

Amid the pain, suffering and anxiety felt by many, there have also been some extraordinary examples of courage, bravery and help on display.

Thousands of volunteers have come forward to support efforts to get food and supplies to the vulnerable and those in self-isolation, while key workers, the NHS and care workers have helped save lives and kept our country going.

This national effort and the sacrifices that have been made now mean that the rate at which the coronavirus is spreading and the numbers of infections and deaths have fallen considerably since its peak.

While we cannot be complacent as the risk remains significant, we are now in a position to reopen parts of the economy and society.

Shops are already beginning to open for customers again and some pupils are allowed back into schools to continue with their education.

Attractions are also reopening. I am pleased to have been in contact with Colchester Zoo and make representations to the government so that they and other zoos could reopen.

The zoo is one of the county’s greatest attractions and a centre for research and conservation.

I am also working with other businesses, Visit Essex and the Essex Chambers of Commerce to get more of our businesses open and operating safely.

With social distancing measures, extra cleaning and hand washing and limits on the numbers of people who can enter shops, we’re not back to normal yet.

Working practices will continue to evolve and adapt but it is important we continue to work to get the economic moving as this will help keep people in jobs.

There are a number of websites which provide important information on the pandemic for families and businesses and I have listed them below.

These are updated regularly and provide information on the actions being taken by the government, support available for businesses, help for families and information on services available in Essex.

General information: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Business support: www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Essex Welfare Service: www.essexwelfareservice.org.uk

Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you

Information on Universal Credit: www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/employment-and-benefits-support

As well as the coronavirus pandemic, there have been some other important issues affecting this part of Essex.

The Rivenhall Incinerator has faced opposition for many years and ever since the last Labour government granted it planning consent in early 2010 there has been an uphill battle to oppose it.

Over time, changes have been made to the proposals and further planning consents have been granted.

In June 2020 the Environment Agency granted the incinerator a permit to operate.

This decision was very disappointing.

While they were considering the permit, I met with the Environment Agency and had made representations to them raising objections to the incinerator being given a permit.

I will be continuing to raise local concerns with the incinerator as we all remain concerned about the impact it will have.

A decision has also recently been reached by the independent planning inspector considering the local plan proposals from Colchester Borough Council and Braintree District Council, which includes the plan for a garden community on the Braintree/Colchester border.

The inspector, Roger Clews, found parts of the proposals unsound and suggested that they be removed.

This included the proposed garden community, which was controversial and attracted widespread opposition.

While we all know how important it is to have new housing with new infrastructure and public services, the proposals put forward did not carry public confidence and were not deemed to be viable by the inspector.

This decision follows criticisms from the inspector made in 2018.

As regular readers will know, I have been critical of the way these plans have been developed and in particular the actions of Colchester Borough Council.

This has led to delays in delivering the A12 widening scheme and getting government approval for the A120 dualling scheme.

Now that the inspector has dismissed the plans put forward by Colchester Borough Council, I am working with Highway England, Essex County Council and the government to get work started on the A12 widening scheme and to progress the A120 dualling scheme.

My statement on the inspector’s announcement and its implications can be found online at:

https://www.priti4witham.co.uk/priti-comments-on-future-of-garden-communities-in-north-essex.

•  If anyone has any questions or comments about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic or any other issue, please do email my office at: WithamMP@parliament.uk