A VILLAGE in Times Territory has provided the inspiration for a new national policy, proposed by the MP for Welwyn Hatfield. Yesterday (Tuesday), shadow housing minister Grant Shapps launched a new Conservative scheme that would give small villages and pa

A VILLAGE in Times Territory has provided the inspiration for a new national policy, proposed by the MP for Welwyn Hatfield.

Yesterday (Tuesday), shadow housing minister Grant Shapps launched a new Conservative scheme that would give small villages and parish communities the final say in how to develop their own area.

And the idea, he says, was inspired by a constituency visit he made last year to Essendon.

Mr Shapps was invited to the annual general meeting of the Essendon Society in June.

"What was very interesting about the meeting was that people were saying they would like more houses.

"They have a row of boarded up, prefab bungalows, which are nothing to look at, and would like to replace them.

"Not a massive amount, but just enough properties to keep the village going.

"As I have gone around the country, many villages, a lot like Essendon, have been saying similar things.

"I thought it was a really good idea, and now it's a Conservative party policy, a national idea that's been entirely inspired by Essendon.