I write to register my objection to the use of the children's play area (Your Reference CFS023/COL38). Apart from its recognised use as a children's play area it is also a valuable walk through / short cut to Branksome Avenue and to Beckney Woods. This route is used daily basis and I use it regularly to access the woods and friends in Etheldore Avenue. Horse riders also use the route to when they exit the Beckney Woods. If this access was lost it would mean walking along Tonbridge Road, Orchard Avenue, Russet Way, Ash Way and Branksome Avenue to reach the woods. From a drainage perspective the green is at the top (high) part of the road. I live in the lower end of the road, at times of high rain we already see the drainage system is inadequate if we lost the drainage on the green as it is concreted over the situation will only get worse. The green is used by more than children, I have personally seen people enjoying the area using it to do their studies and revise. It is an asset to local people and would be a sad loss; as towns expand pockets of public green space become ever more valuable to residents and in short supply.
Looking at the larger building plan the area around Harrogate Drive. Unless public services are increased in line with any future development then our existing services will become overwhelmed. Doctor's appointments are already difficult to obtain placing more people on the register will only worsen the situation. When my children started their school career class sizes were no larger than 30 by the end the classes were larger. More houses more people, more children larger classes degraded education. I used to live in Rayleigh (my sister still does), and it is a good example of the effects of mass building in a town. Rather than bringing increased trade traffic congestion (traffic gridlock for parts of the day. Listen to local radio and you can hear how often Rayleigh is mentioned) reduces trade as it's easier to go out of town. I avoid going to or though Rayleigh if I can. It would be a disaster for Hockley if we followed the same route.