Comment
Draft Statement of Community Involvement 2016
Representation ID: 34526
Received: 17/05/2016
Respondent: Mr K W Randall
I would like to make the following comments on planning matters.
Democracy - Councillors should be free to vote on planning matters and not be concerned that a no vote on a planning application may, in the future, have financial implications for the Council. They should be released from this unjust burden when making decisions.
- Decisions on planning matters should be made by all Councillors representing the Council and not just those on the Planning/Development Committee. This would, hopefully, stop decisions being based on Party Political lines.
- Residents views must be taken into account. They must also be given the time and opportunity to express their concerns over any proposed developments. The recent passing of development in Rayleigh and Hullbridge were examples of where the objections of the majority of residents was overridden.
Green Belt Land
- No further developments should be granted on Green Belt land. A staggering 274,292 houses are planned on green belt land in England, 25 per cent more than the previous count (March 2015) and in contradiction to the Government's manifesto policy to "Protect the Green Belt."
Farm and Arable Land
- This should also be protected as much as possible. The decision to build houses on prime arable land in Hall Road, Rochford was, in my humble opinion, a huge mistake.
Services and Infrastructure
- Before granting any proposed planning, the Council must ensure that both services and infrastructure are in place to cope with the development.
- It is already clear that our roads and our hospitals cannot cope with the pressures cased by the large number of housing developments in Essex. Presumably, a local Council takes into account other planning proposals within the County in order that we do not reach a gridlock situation.
Air Pollution
- This is a serious concern particularly with regard to the health of all people who live nearby to areas of heavy traffic. No roadside checks on vehicles likely to emit pollution have been carried out for over five years so some other form of pollution check must be put in place. For instance, has any pollution measurements been taken on the main road from Hockley to Rayleigh and Rayleigh itself.
Urban Sprawl
- I have lived in Hockley for over 50 years and I would hate to see the place where I have enjoyed living becoming part of some large urban sprawl of development. The future quality of life for people living in Essex seems to be in severe jeopardy by the massive over development in the County (some 70,000 homes?)
On a final note, the street where I live is in its worst condition in all the years that I have lived here and nearby roads are in the same poor condition. I suggest, therefore, you check on our existing infrastructure and the ability of how our services can cope with any future large developments under consideration.
Thank you in anticipation for your kind attention to this letter.
Yours faithfully,
Mr K. W. Randall
I would like to make the following comments on planning matters.
Democracy - Councillors should be free to vote on planning matters and not be concerned that a no vote on a planning application may, in the future, have financial implications for the Council. They should be released from this unjust burden when making decisions.
- Decisions on planning matters should be made by all Councillors representing the Council and not just those on the Planning/Development Committee. This would, hopefully, stop decisions being based on Party Political lines.
- Residents views must be taken into account. They must also be given the time and opportunity to express their concerns over any proposed developments. The recent passing of development in Rayleigh and Hullbridge were examples of where the objections of the majority of residents was overridden.
Green Belt Land
- No further developments should be granted on Green Belt land. A staggering 274,292 houses are planned on green belt land in England, 25 per cent more than the previous count (March 2015) and in contradiction to the Government's manifesto policy to "Protect the Green Belt."
Farm and Arable Land
- This should also be protected as much as possible. The decision to build houses on prime arable land in Hall Road, Rochford was, in my humble opinion, a huge mistake.
Services and Infrastructure
- Before granting any proposed planning, the Council must ensure that both services and infrastructure are in place to cope with the development.
- It is already clear that our roads and our hospitals cannot cope with the pressures cased by the large number of housing developments in Essex. Presumably, a local Council takes into account other planning proposals within the County in order that we do not reach a gridlock situation.
Air Pollution
- This is a serious concern particularly with regard to the health of all people who live nearby to areas of heavy traffic. No roadside checks on vehicles likely to emit pollution have been carried out for over five years so some other form of pollution check must be put in place. For instance, has any pollution measurements been taken on the main road from Hockley to Rayleigh and Rayleigh itself.
Urban Sprawl
- I have lived in Hockley for over 50 years and I would hate to see the place where I have enjoyed living becoming part of some large urban sprawl of development. The future quality of life for people living in Essex seems to be in severe jeopardy by the massive over development in the County (some 70,000 homes?)
On a final note, the street where I live is in its worst condition in all the years that I have lived here and nearby roads are in the same poor condition. I suggest, therefore, you check on our existing infrastructure and the ability of how our services can cope with any future large developments under consideration.
Thank you in anticipation for your kind attention to this letter.
Yours faithfully,
Mr K. W. Randall