Thank you for your letter of 18th October 2010 and your email notification of the proposed changes to the Core Strategy. Having perused the proposed changes we would really appreciate some clarification and guidance, important to us as a Land Trust, prior to making representational comments on the changes as requested.

Points for clarification

1. We refer to Councillor Lucas-Gill's press statement which aptly highlighted the current, acute deficit of available land for affordable housing (see copy attached).

2. Councillor Hudson, Portfolio Holder for the Core Strategy has stated that the total allocation of greenbelt land for the next twenty years will only be one percent of the nine tenths Green Belt land within the Rochford District. It has also been stated that the drainage and triple road junction of Lower Road, Watery Lane and Hullbridge Road currently needs redesigning, in conjunction with the proposed new development. Under the proposed changes it appears that these much needed improvements have been deferred until 2026-2031.

Acknowledging the years of planning and consultation work, we consider it is only reasonable and fair that the Council should more clearly identify the actual sites in this locality, selected from the Preferred Options for future development, before compromising our Trust to possible unnecessary time consuming representations.

With all due respect, we would appreciate hearing your considered response regarding the above somewhat misleading and contradictory statements.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please note our new Email address if preferred.