On behalf of Hockley Parish Plan Group, I would like to register the following comments and objections in response to the RDC Core Strategy Preferred Options (2008) Document:

Comment 1
Hockley must remain as a distinct community with clear boundaries and green spaces between Hockley and its neighbouring parishes. Countryside in and around Hockley, including woods, footpaths, bridleways, play areas, playing fields and nature reserves must be 100% preserved. There should be no loss of greenbelt or open spaces in Hockley or the surrounding areas.

Comment 2
Due to shortage of available building land, housing development in and around Hockley must be minimal, and should include starter homes and affordable housing. Historic and listed buildings in Hockley must be preserved.

Comment 3
Hockley town centre development must maintain the character of Hockley, and include a variety of shops, family restaurants, enhanced parking facilities, and facilities for the youth. It must consider appropriate facilities for people with disabilities.

Comment 4
Increased population in Hockley and its neighbouring parishes must be supported by additional healthcare (dentists and doctors), primary and secondary school places, community services, and leisure facilities.

Comment 5
Improved highways and cycle networks are essential in and around Hockley to support increased traffic volumes, improve road safety, and eliminate congestion.

Comment 6
There must be no additional pollution in Hockley in terms of air quality and noise, particularly related to increased traffic volumes and airport expansion programmes.

Comment 7
Public transport must be improved in and around Hockley in terms of routes and frequencies to support additional population and to alleviate the impact of additional traffic volumes.

Comment 8
Additional controls must be introduced to ensure crime levels, vandalism and anti-social behaviour issues, in and around Hockley, do not increase due to additional population numbers.

Objection 1
The core strategy does not provide an option of placing all 3500 homes in one new location, remote from Hockley, with provision of appropriate self supporting infrastructure (schools, healthcare, community services and leisure facilites), and including public transport and highway networks that do not impact on Hockley.

Objection 2
As the majority of proposed additional housing, population and traffic is located to the east of Hockley, the plan is not sustainable, in and around Hockley, due to insufficient infrastructure proposals (schools, healthcare, community services and leisure facilities), and particularly related to public transport and highway networks. Roads through Hockley already suffer from major congestion issues, and no plans are evident in the strategy to eliminate current and future traffic issues.

Best regards