PRESERVING green space and better public transport have been named as top priorities for people within Harlow and the surrounding area.

Feedback from the Your Quality of Life report, which ran for 12 weeks across the summer, was published, mentioning comments from Harlow and Garden Town communities. 

More than 65 per cent of residents were happy and felt a strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood and wanted to improve green spaces, beating the national average from the government's Community Life Survey in 2021.

Garden town director, Naisha Polaine, said: "We're pleased to see that people are so passionate about community, green space and better transport.

"They are all huge priorities for the Garden Town, and listening to what people want is integral to creating a great place for the future."

Harlow and Gilston Garden Town's vision for future transport across the area, which includes a travel network accommodating cycling, walking and rapid bus services, has already won a 2022 Essex Housing Award.

Discussing green space, Naisha added: "Our stance on this has always been clear that we want investment in public access, landscape and biodiversity enhancements while expanding areas of the existing green wedge network.

"Providing a home for wildlife and allowing people to enjoy nature and green spaces is critical for mental and physical wellbeing."