Comment

Representation ID: 37

Received: 07/06/2007

Respondent: Ms G Yeadell

4.10.7 "Responses..historic character of district..worth retaining. But also clear Council should not over-concentrate on this issue". Naturally - from property developers who don't want to be deprived of lucrative demolition and regeneration opportunites.

In Minutes of Planning Policy 3.4.07 officers note disappointing response to Consultation on Rochford Conservation Area Appraisal. I suggest 2 reasons:
. Developers are not interested
. Residents are sick of special treatment for core Rochford, Rayleigh, greenbelt settlements, while dwellings deemed "prime sites" for lucrative development elsewhere are sacrificed. For example it was sickening to see units in Rochford marked "sponsored by English Heritage", others being renovated by preservation trusts, architectural heritage societies etc, while a dozen heritage items from Spa Road to south side of Hockley Hill have been demolished, some better than above.

Plotlands have been preserved, but those at Etheldore were bought, demolished by RDC for greenbelt "open space", land later sold 'back to back' to a developer.

In Rayleigh £7000+ Thames Gateway fund was spent on Websters Way, £3000+ lottery on the Mill, all our money. No wonder residents are cynical.