With regret I must object to all proposed sites for fifty houses plus in Hockley sites WH1, WH2, WH3, WH4. In Folly Lane we have more traffic than enough, it is dangerous with 'S' bends and one sharp bend drivers use it now as a rat run and now with double yellow lines down to tennis courts, parking is very dangerous in Folly Lane. Please try to let common sense this is not the area for development. For gypsy site must also be out of order with more fly tipping etc, more rubbish left at site when they move on, we have to pay for removal of rubbish. It's one big NO!

See:-

Folly Chase Frontagers' Road Committee

Rochford District Council Development Plan
A number of residents have asked the Road Committee if a few pointers could be put forward on which any letter to the Council could be based.

The following suggestions are, therefore, presented for general use. It must be stressed that it is felt individual letters to the Council would have a greater impact on the Plan considerations.

The Land (being the field in which the parcels WH1, WH3 and WH4 are located)

1. This has been Green Belt for over 50 years.
2. This land has been well protected by such Green Belt Policy over all those years.
3. The existing Green Belt boundaries are well established being Folly Wood, The School, the Community Centre and Residential Properties protected by Oaklands Nursery.
4. The land (all of it including ref WH1) is agricultural land on which a healthy crop is growing at the present time.
5. The tenant farmer has over the years invested considerable time money and effort improving the quality of the soil and the drainage.
6. The present total parcel of land forms a natural lung of Green Belt to this part of the village.
7. The individual parcels selected are nothing more than paper exercises being pencil lines across an arable field in the Green Belt.

The land (being The Mushroom farm off Folly Lane WH2 and WH5)

1. This site is a Brown Field Site however any development over recent years has been refused by strongly recognized Planning Policies.

Folly Chase

1. This road is a quiet cul-de-sac serving a limited number of properties.
2. The road is a private street maintained by the frontagers and has been such for over 50 years.
3. The road has been maintained to protect a rural character ie no footways, shingle dress carriageway of irregular width with road side planting.
4. The road overall is limited in width and in places extremely narrow restricting the possible upgrading required to accommodate any additional traffic introduced.
5. The present road is managed by the Frontagers being the street mangers who are consulted by Service Authorities regarding road openings and reinstatement.
6. There is no wish by any of the Frontagers for the present arrangement to be changed. Nor is there any wish for road upgrading with kerbs, footways etc.
7. The present junction of Folly Chase with Folly Lane is restricted in line and level. The junction radii are sub standard and there is not the land, without entry onto private land, on which an upgraded junction could be formed.

Folly Lane

1. This is a local road meant to provide access to the adjacent limited residential areas. However, being a Public Highway it is used as a major 'rat run' and has to accommodate far more traffic than originally considered.
2. The Historic layout of Folly Lane with three extremely tight right angle bends, very poor junction with the main road B1013, all mean that this is a sub standard traffic route which should not be expected to accommodate additional traffic. Indeed, measures should be introduced to control the use of this highway.

B1013 and general road network through village.

The highway network through the village is totally over capacity. There are long queues of traffic many times during the day and often the only chance of entry onto the through route is by the courtesy of other road users.

West Hockley

The selected area of consideration for new residential development is far too restricted. West Hockley is a much bigger area than the area selected. The village of Hockley and immediate surrounds is already over developed. There will be infill and development consolidation. This is how it should be left and instead of new housing estates to further burden the village outstanding problems should be dealt with ie highway infrastructure, doctors, dentists, schools and other services.