I have lived in Rayleigh for over forty years and in that time, Rayleigh has morphed from a small pleasant market town into a developers free for all in building. This has resulted in loss of green space, loss of schools (knocking down Park School to build more houses - surely more schools not less??), traffic jams, lack of school space, overcrowded trains, doctors and dentists.

Why is it that Rayleigh gets all the housing whereas Rochford, Ashington and the outlying areas appear to stay green and pleasant areas??

Ironically, Rochford is a much smaller town than Rayleigh but manages to keep all the amenities around Rochford to the detriment of Rayleigh. Rochford Town Centre remains quaint with most of the old buildings renovated whereas Rayleigh's quaintness has been obliterated by the same Council...