What BP says:
"We believe that long-term, sustainable success is linked to being a responsible business: setting the highest standards in our financial, environmental and social performance and earning the trust of our stakeholders”

What BP does:
The first application in the early 90's for 4000 houses was rejected in the Hertfordshire Structure Plan process. The second in the late 90s for 18,000 houses was rejected by SERPLAN. This third attempt for 25,000 houses is being made now through the Regional Spatial Strategy process at the unelected East of England Regional Assembly.  Ropemaker Properties Limited has, over the years, contrived to exclude local stakeholders from the decision-making process.  None of the Parish Councils, District Council or County Council upon whose land this development is proposed have had discussion with Ropemaker on Harlow North.

What BP says:
"BP is … committed to the protection of the natural environment, …”

What BP does
In 1994, when Ropemaker Properties Limited proposed building 4,000 houses on the site, they said: “Eastwick and Gilston already lie within the Metropolitan Green Belt, which has stood the test of time as a defence against urban coalescence”. They also said:  “The Stort Valley and its northern slopes are Harlow’s greatest landscape asset, of major importance to the rural setting of the town.”  Today Ropemaker Properties Limited wants to concrete over that Green Belt and destroy huge tracts of unspoiled traditional countryside

What BP says
We will pursue our business with integrity, respecting the … rights of individuals in all the countries where we operate

What BP does
If Ropemaker plans were to become reality then BP would forever be blamed for the destruction of the Metropolitan Green Belt, for concreting over the historic villages of Eastwick and Gilston and for blighting Hunsdon, Hertfordshire Village of the Year. The claims that this development would be sustainable are flawed; there is already a significant infrastructure deficit in roads, rail, hospitals, water, schools etc. The site is also under the flight path for Stansted airport.