Although i do not profess to be an expert, NATS is attempting to deconflict the areas around Barkway (BKY) and Brookmans Park (BPK). Around these two VORs, the airspace is very complex and over the past years NATS has sought to find methods to ensure arrivals and departures from London City, Stansted and Luton are not in direct confliction.
The Essex sector not only deals with Luton and Stansted arrivals, but also has to see those through the Stansted departures that head west and north west through BKY. The Stansted departures on these routes have to 'jump' Luton arrivals that fly east to west descending to 5000' north of BKY.
Al in all, the airspace is complicated and looking at the consultation document, the new routes will alleviate the current methods of operation.
The new routes are also being designed to offer better departure rates of climb and continuous descent approaches, thus reducing the noise impact below.
As with everything, change not only brings benefits, but some folk will be disadvantaged with new routes or stacks over or close to their homes.
Here in Whipsnade, no real change for me as I live right underneath an 8 mile for 08!