Please take this letter as an official objection to the proposed planned works (All options) dated January 2009. In addition to the over all objection we have major concerns over the consultation process, the proposed youth club location and the proposed traffic system.

My wife and I moved to Hockley three years ago for its peaceful village feel, and we are concerned that the proposed works will damage the existing environment and will have a negative rather than positive effect on Hockley.

Consultation

We do not feel that we have been adequately consulted on the proposed works or given sufficient time to assess the planned changes. I am unaware of any meaningful consultation process to date. No public board advertisements, no information in the local press, no leaflets drops, and we are not aware of any joint meetings that have been held.

One Way traffic system

As a resident of Woodlands Road we also strongly object to any proposed one way traffic system via Kilnwood Avenue. This would increase the rat run that is already in place and increase the risk of traffic accidents on local roads. Further more a traffic increase will provide high pollution in the surrounding green belt area. Kilnwood Road is already a congested road; this additional concentration of traffic will cause traffic problems and create a safety hazard for pedestrians, cyclists accessing Hockley woods.

Proposed location of the youth club

There seems to be no options for this part of the works. It appears that a decision has already been made on the location.

To date the council will be aware that there seems to be an issue with teenagers accumulating on local streets, therefore a youth club would be the answer. While we have no objection for a youth club to be established, we do have a strong objection of its location. The proposed works situate the youth club very close to Woodlands Road (a quiet residential road). Teenagers currently congregate in the centre of the main road; we feel that if the proposed works is to go ahead as planned, teenagers will congregate at the bottom of Woodlands Road and the surrounding area. It is self evident that at weekends teenagers drink alcohol in the main high street and we fear this would be transferred to the youth club area.

Additionally the proposed site is located in front of a predominantly residential area where occupiers could reasonably expect a level of amenity concurrent with the property. The proposed location of the youth club introduces a diverse element that by reason of the use is likely to result in noise, disturbance and nuisance to the detriment of neighbour's residential amenity.

We feel that all the works are unjustified, unnecessary, and are not welcomed by the local community.

I kindly request that our concerns and objections are taken seriously and that any planned works are redesigned and residents are adequately consulted. Please keep us fully informed of any further developments.

I look forward to your comments.