IT was a big night for independents at the local elections in Uttlesford – including a shock win in Saffron Walden for WeAreResidents.org candidate John Lodge.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Independent WeAreResidents.org candidate John Lodge was victorious in the Saffron Walden division in the Essex County Council elections.Independent WeAreResidents.org candidate John Lodge was victorious in the Saffron Walden division in the Essex County Council elections. (Image: Archant)

Long-standing Conservative incumbent Robert Chambers saw his 1,700 majority from the 2009 Essex County Council election wiped out as Mr Lodge claimed a narrow victory by 48 votes.

But there was better news for the Conservatives elsewhere as Ray Gooding increased his overall majority in the Stansted division to 496 from Liberal Democrat Geoffrey Sell.

The Tories also held on to Dunmow and Thaxted with Susan Barker and Simon Walsh. But there was a swing in the number of votes for UKIP as the group took second in both divisions.

It was a torrid night for the Lib Dems, who were fourth in the Saffron Walden division behind Mr Lodge, the Tories and UKIP.

In the Uttlesford District Council by-election for the Newport ward, the Lib Dems also lost a seat to independent Joanna Parry, while Kenneth Swainsbury was elected to Hatfield Broad Oak Parish Council.

The full results are below. For more reaction, check the Reporter’s website later today.

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS - UTTLESFORD

SAFFRON WALDEN

Independent GAIN John Lodge wins with 2,079 votes

Robert Chambers (Conservative) 2,031

Jane Berney (Labour) 491

Richard Freeman (Lib Dem) 607

Trilby Roberts (Green) 244

Barry Tyler (UKIP) 609

DUNMOW

Conservative HOLD - Susan Barker wins with 2,661 votes

Alan Stannard (UKIP) 1,298

Terry Brandon (Labour) 482

David Morgan (Lib Dem) 398

Karmel Stannard (Green) 244

THAXTED

Conservative HOLD - Simon Walsh wins with 1,904 votes

Stuart Moore (UKIP) 890

Antoinette Wattebot (Lib Dem) 676

Barbara Light (Labour) 335

John Dunkley (Green) 248

STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET

Conservative HOLD - Ray Gooding wins with 2,262 votes

Geoffrey Sell (Lib Dem) 1,766

Peter Barclay (UKIP) 944

Ian Davies (Labour) 402

Martin Wybrew (Green) 186

Turnout

Saffron Walden - 38%

Total votes: 6,073

Dunmow - 28.1%

Total votes: 5,096

Thaxted - 29.4%

Total votes: 4,074

Stansted Mountfitchet - 37%

Total votes: 4,196

There were 51 rejected ballot papers.

Turnout 2009

Saffron Walden - 42.38%

Total votes: 6,540

Dunmow - 38.32%

Total votes: 6,228

Thaxted - 41.32%

Total votes: 5,572

Stansted Mountfitchet - 46.68%

Total votes: 6,326

There were 183 rejected ballot papers.

UTTLESFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL BY-ELECTION RESULT

Newport ward - Independent GAIN - Joanna Parry wins with 428 votes

Peter Arscott (Conservative) 380

Howard Bowman (Lib Dem) 240

Denis Mongon (Labour) 125

Total votes: 1,173

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS

Hatfield Broad Oak

Kenneth Swainsbury wins with 201 votes

Christopher Roberts 161

Total votes: 362