am writing to put on record my comments concerning the proposal to include area CFS 027 for housing in Rochford Districts building plan for 2020/2040.

This area forms part of the Roche conservation zone- an area of historic interest due in part to its ancient hedgerow boundaries. This field parcel is surrounded on four sides by ancient hedgerow and many beautiful old oak trees. A considerable time ago, it was bought and sold in plots by an individual who saw it as a business investment, with little regard to its intrinsic value within the beautiful valley east of Rayleigh.

To develop this for housing would begin to seriously erode this unique area and would break into a natural boundary which should remain undeveloped.

This field parcel borders a public footpath, used and enjoyed by a huge number of local residents. It is one of few places left where people feel they are in a wild, open environment, as well as continuing to provide a wonderful place to escape to for much needed peace and time with nature; something that is being increasingly recognised as vital for wellbeing.

As the resident farmer of the adjoining land, I am investing heavily in improving the area further for people and wildlife. I have applied for The Countryside Stewardship scheme to include 50% of the farmland I own within The Roche Conservation Zone. I am also applying for a Woodland creation grant to plant 9 acres of woodland, some of which will have public access, and will partly replace an area of woodland which was taken out in the 1950’s (Splash Wood). As a result of our CSS 2017/2022 we now have Tawny and Barn Owls back hunting in this area, among many other invaluable returns of previously native wildlife.

I am doing this because I feel the great need to cherish and preserve this area for people and its wildlife which is becoming increasingly threatened, marginalised, and is ultimately, disappearing.

From a logistical aspect, due to the field parcel being sold off in individual plots, it would make future development very uncoordinated as regards to planning permission for each separate house design, in addition to the access to main services on the site.

The ongoing problem of traffic gridlock on the east side of Rayleigh is a huge concern to its residents. Hockley Road to the North is massively overwhelmed with traffic, as is Eastwood road to the South. If access is via Bull Lane, Webster’s Way is already incredibly busy.

There are going to be objections to new housing wherever it goes; we all want our own area to remain unchanged, but people need houses to live in and I fully appreciate that local government has to allocate areas for housing in-line with central government targets.
However, the proposal of this site in particular is an illogical and unnatural intrusion into the Green Belt beyond the built up area of Rayleigh.

With the above considered, I would respectfully suggest that CFS 027 is unsuitable and undesirable for new housing development.