The Hawkwell Action Group submitted to RDC a comprehensive analysis of OBJECTION to CFS194,CFS169,CFS150, CFS020. Please refer to this as reasons for continued objection. Daniel Goodman has this. (HAG sustainability assessment rectory road final.docx, there is a traffic survey with numerics so please add this to this objection)

Parcels of land between Clements Hall playing field, Windsor Gardens and adjoining

Sustainability Assessment for Residential Development by The Hawkwell Action Group


1. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road ensure an intervention in the causes of criminal events; reducing risk and potential seriousness?

Answer

Additional policing will be required in any event because this represents a 20% increase in the number of houses in the location. New estates often have ‘rat runs’ due to the high density and the lack of pepper potting creates social problems that may lead to increased problems.

The Ambulance service is unlikely to be able to deploy additional resource and the existing service will diminish immediate locality.

Will the Fire, Police, CCG be able to deploy additional resources? Given the current resourcing issues being acknowledged by the Crime and Fire Commissioner this is very unlikely.

CCG. No reply despite regular prompting. It is reasonable to assume that no reply indicates a lack of capacity which is well known already.

High density often lead to estates with narrow unadoptable roads which in turn create access problems for emergency vehicles. Residents at Clements Gate cite speeding and parking problems at 24 homes per hectare so at 30 homes per hectare a new development is likely to have greater problems.

2. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road increase the range and affordability of housing for all social groups?

Answer

At least 35% must be affordable housing. The population profile in Hawkwell is increasingly skewing towards the retired and frail elderly. Will there be flats? Will there be sheltered housing? Will there be executive homes? Will there be bungalows? Houses that are affordable for first and second time buyers? The mix out of control of the Council and not sustainable.

Despite a policy of pepper potting this is never properly delivered by RDC as we understand builders and Housing Associations prefer separate areas for ease of administration and sales reasons.

The density levels at 30 per hectare at the sole determination of the developer would indicate that the type of housing needed in the area for existing residents – bungalows, retirement properties and ‘expandable’ homes for first time purchasers is likely to be ignored in favour of more profitable larger properties in the 65% for sale.

The 35% affordable is likely to be a "numbers game" not 35% of all types/sizes or 35% of built area/ bedrooms meaning less homes for those in our area in need of such housing than the 35% quoted in RDC’s policy.

3. Is there sustainable access to key services for a development in Land Behind Rectory Road?

Answer

Basically No. For all age groups there would need to be regular (meaning every 10/15 minutes) public transport access to Hockley, Rochford, Rayleigh and Southend by direct and regular bus services. It is feared that ECC supported bus service will be ceased by ECC shortly. There are no bus services in the evening and insufficient services in the morning and evening for commuters. Reference Bus Timetable.


4. Does it meet the residents' needs, as represented by the projected population profile, in terms of sheltered and lifetime homes or those that can be easily adapted so?

Answer

Affordable homes are unlikely to adapt nor are executive style homes likely to adapt either to a population growing at retired and frail elderly categories. The issue of the aging profile of the population of the district is recognised in the Council’s Corporate Strategy but the planning for strategic housing distribution in Hawkwell does not positively respond to this. An increasing retired and frail elderly population needs their specific housing needs to be delivered in existing centres themselves and not 2/3 miles away as Hawkwell is from the nearest existing centres with some key facilities, namely Hockley and Rochford.

See also answer to "Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road increase the range and affordability of housing for all social groups?"

5. Is the location of Land Behind Rectory Road an existing centre that should be focussed on for enhancement?

Answer

No. Hawkwell West is away from the existing centres. Road congestion and the lack of public transport is an issue.


6. Does the location of Land Behind Rectory Road promote mixed use and high density development in urban areas? What is the proposed density?

Answer

The location is many Hectares. RDC policy is a minimum of 30 per hectare. 800 houses. There will not be a mix of housing because the Council has no control over this.

No

7. What provision of infrastructure is required to create a sustainable development in Land Behind Rectory Road?

Answer

The Council has traffic data for Rectory Road that has obtained by a resident in 2008 and was submitted to the Council in November 2008 in response to the Preferred Options Public Consultation.

This needs to be reviewed with the 2019 figures we have submitted already HAG sustainability assessment rectory road final.docx


Please note that the development could increase traffic movements by nearly 50% on the current 2019 counts which further could represent an increase of over 90% since 2008.

Improvements were made to the junction at Nursery Corner in relation to Clements Gate. No further junction improvements are possible so material congestion will result.

The other junction on Rectory Road is at a Railway Bridge where no improvements can be made so material congestion will result.

Both unacceptable and unsustainable for further development.


8. What is the availability of sustainable transport modes in Land Behind Rectory Road?

Answer

Residents have great concerns that a standard charge or levy for infrastructural components (CIL) will be insufficient to meet the real costs of making this location sustainable.

For example; Arriva have proposed from time to time that the bus service be reduced from half hourly to hourly.

ECC is consulting on the sustainability of Sunday services at all.

Residents cannot see a developer being agreeable to meeting this cost which is wholly necessary to meet the needs of the residents of new affordable housing especially. This will then be an unsustainable development.

Nursery Corner which will need to be improved AGAIN for capacity and allow for increased traffic flow without significant tail backs.
The services in the existing site splay will need to be moved this time at a huge cost. But again a standard tariff will not deal with anything that is not standard.

Rectory Road becomes single file at the railway bridge near St. Mary’s Church. This bottleneck cannot be resolved full stop.


9. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road encourage people to use alternative modes of transportation than the private car?

Answer

No. The location is likely to generate more private car journeys and it is unlikely that bus or walking or cycling will prove a via viable alternative.

No

10. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road reduce the need to travel?

Answer

No, it will generate more private car journeys. And the likely place of work for the new residents is claimed by RDC to be most likely the extension to Southend Airport where there is no bus service, safe walking and cycle route access via the B1013.

No it will increase traffic movements


11. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road encourage a large volume of people or transport movements that are located inaccessible locations?

Answer

Yes, the location is currently inaccessible and any new road created from the demolition of houses in Rectory Road will be a bottleneck.


Speedwatch is regularly conducted in Rectory. Those who conduct the speed watch have publicly answered questions about the data with it is not their data. Presumably it belongs to Essex Police. Rectory Road would not be on the Speedwatch list if there were not continuing speeding problems revealed. Given the volume of traffic, often released in batches from one end by traffic lights and the other by a mini roundabout this leads to driver frustration and speeding occurs giving rise to the potential for multiple vehicle accidents and with those trying to emerge from side roads at high traffic volume periods.


Such is the concern for damage that vehicles are habitually parked on the footway and grass verges during the day and overnight.


12. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road conserve and enhance natural/semi natural habitats?

Answer

No it will destroy them. No – it will negatively impact on one of the few remaining open areas in Hawkwell West

13. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road conserve and enhance species diversity and in particular avoid harm to protected and priority species?

Answer

No it will destroy them. There has been an increase in some wildlife from the displacement of habitat at Clements Gate. Where will it go now?

14. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road maintain and enhance general locations designated for their nature conservation interest?

Answer

No it will destroy them.

15. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road conserve and enhance general locations of geological significance?

Answer

No Information known. Is the Council conducting a geological survey?

16. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road protect and enhance general locations, features and areas of historical, archaeological and cultural value in both urban and rural areas?

Answer

No Information known. Is the Council conducting any survey?


17. Does a development in Land Behind Rectory Road seek to enhance the range and quality of the public realm and open spaces?

Answer

No, it will not increase the public realm and open spaces.

No, a rural footpath and a bridle path are in the area these may be lost – even if retained their attractiveness will be lost. Residents also walk the field boundary which will no longer be possible. Loss of informal recreational areas

18. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road contribute to the delivery of the enhancement, effective management and appropriate use of land in the urban fringe?

Answer

This is the wrong use of the urban fringe.

No

19. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road reduce the amount of derelict, degraded and underused land?

Answer

It could take a viable Farm business out of use. Loss of Grade 1 agricultural land.

20. Does the proposal for a development in Land Behind Rectory Road reflect the scope of using brownfield land where viable and realistic?

Answer

The Magees general location, a brownfield location very nearby could be used instead.

But ECC states "WINDSOR GARDENS - We have looked into this matter and can advise that we have no records of any weight limit being applied. It may have been that at some point there may have been a temporary limit imposed, for some reason? We have no records of anything. Windsor Gardens is classed as a private road but has a Public Right of Way (PROW) along it. The road issues are therefore a matter for the landowner. As long as the public have clear access along it, within the usage restrictions of a PROW, we have no concerns.

21. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road improve the landscape?

Answer

No.

Detriment not improvement

22. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road increase the risk of flooding?

Answer

Yes, this area of Hawkwell West is low lying and prone to flooding, fog and freezing fog.

Flooding

Reference - South Essex Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - April 2008

Page 37 - Hawkwell Brook - Flood Zones apply to this Site.

Page 38 - Local knowledge disputes the claim that the Hawkwell Brook defences have protected against the 100 year flood event. Only 30 year protection maximum.

Indeed there were significant Hawkwell Brook flood events in 1953 (the water course was moved as a result), 1968, and 2013. These have been ommitted from the Flood Record on Pages 40 and 41.

See Graphics and photos in HAG sustainability assessment rectory road final.docx held by Daniel Goodman





23. Will suitable and effective mitigation against flooding be integrated into the development?

Answer

Being in the highest risk Flood Zone – there must be no building.

It is likely that the site risk itself would be potentially reduced by the 1 in 100 year calculations but there is no control or checks on these systems and they are unproven. As the site is adjacent to a tidal river the risk would remain and probably increase flooding risk on adjacent areas

24. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road improve air quality?

Answer

No air quality will decrease further. Traffic volumes have increased by 34.5%. This has increased air pollution. Residents have noticed that lichens on roof's have reduced which is a well known ecological marker of increased pollution.

25. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road direct transport movements away from AQMA's and or potentially significant junctions? Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)

Answer

No Information. RDC needs to undertake roadside air pollution monitoring.

Unknown

26. Is the general location of Land Behind Rectory Road in Zone 2 or 3 for Flood Assessment?

Answer

The area nearby is in a flood zone.

Reference - South Essex Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - April 2008

Page 37 - Hawkwell Brook - Flood Zones apply to this Site.

Page 38 - Local knowledge disputes the claim that the Hawkwell Brook defences have protected against the 100 year flood event. Only 30 year protection maximum.

Indeed there were significant Hawkwell Brook flood events in 1953 (the water course was moved as a result), 1968, and 2013. These have been ommitted from the Flood Record on Pages 40 and 41.

27. Could Rainfall be an issue 1/100, 1/250,1/500 years for a development in South Hawkwell? Evidence of local flooding incident?

Answer

Reference - South Essex Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - April 2008

Page 38 - Local knowledge disputes the claim that the Hawkwell Brook defences have protected against the 100 year flood event. Only 30 year protection maximum.

Indeed there were significant Hawkwell Brook flood events in 1953 (the water course was moved as a result), 1968, and 2013. These have been ommitted from the Flood Record on Pages 40 and 41.


28. Is a development in Land Behind Rectory Road a Brownfield priority?

Answer

It is a greenfield and a nearby brownfield would be ignored.

No

29. Will Affordable housing a development in Land Behind Rectory Road be indistinguishable?

Answer

At 30 houses per hectare if the general location is 35% affordable with homes priced for first or second time purchasers as needed in the district as a whole then there will be some very low density housing on general location.

If past experience on recent sites is an indication, no. Smaller clustered properties, with small gardens, without garages and generally away from amenity areas.

30. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road increase light pollution?

Answer

Yes.


31. Is there an existing public transport corridor in Land Behind Rectory Road?

Answer

No. Arriva has indicated before it wishes to reduce the service and most probably remove the bus service within the next year or 2.

32. Would a development in Land Behind Rectory Road support a virtual community rather than travel? Broadband? Optical delivery?

Answer

Too far from the exchange/fibre cabinets for the high speed broadband. No optical delivery.

Open Reach claim year by year to have plans but fibre not delivered. Clements Gate has minimal services.

33. From a development in Land Behind Rectory Road what is the furthest distance to walk via a safe route to major fixed transport node train every 10/15 mins?

Answer

Walking Distances using a midpoint on Rectory Road

Hockley Railway Station 33mins

Hockley Spa/shops 31+ mins

Hawkwell Parade 21mins

Shorter routes use unmade paths and alleyways that are not suitable for all, even the main road

route uses narrow footpaths that are unsuitable for some prams/buggies/mobility aids. All routes

are uphill.

Golden Cross Parade 18mins

Rochford Railway Station 39 mins

Rochford Square 41mins

All routes necessitate crossing Rectory Road and include a narrow footpath under the railway bridge.

Again the narrow footpath is unsuitable for some prams/buggies/mobility aids.

The only cycle path is along Ashingdon Road but there is no linkage to it.

General issues with suitability of walkways for elderly/infirm and young

Hockley Car railway car park already at capacity at 9.30am Railway Company promised 4 trains per hour but only delivering three.

Limited capacity of Rochford Station Car Park

Taxi fares about £8.00 to Rochford

If travelling to Rochford station possible congestion due to early start time at King Edmund School

34. From a development in Land Behind Rectory Road what is the furthest distance from regular bus service?


35. Is there a network of safe bike routes in Land Behind Rectory Road to local facilities?
Answer

No, and the road width does not even incorporate a safe footway in Rectory Road on one side and none on the other. A cycle path could not be included.

No and not feasible – in the other direction the railway bridge would preclude this.

36. Traffic management in Land Behind Rectory Road – is there safe passage?

Answer

No. Speeding makes Rectory Road unsafe. Essex Police have the data from information which is has been collected by Community Speedwatch.


37. In will traffic jams be mitigated by junction improvement?

Answer

No

Growing issue at Nursery Corner which is concerning residents right now and could be exacerbated in the future by a major development.

Basically there are long tailbacks at rush hour times in Rectory Road and it is impossible for pedestrians to cross the B1013.

And there is a bottleneck at St Mary’s Bridge.

And at Golden X

And at Hockley Spa


38. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by reducing energy consumption?

Answer

No Information

Doubtful, we would expect an increase

39. Will a development in Land Behind Rectory Road lead to an increased proportion of energy needs being met from renewable sources?
Answer

No information

How can any increase from zero be a reduction?

40. Any other Comments/Information on a development in Land Behind Rectory Road?


41. School Capacity?

EDUCATION

From a review of the “10 Year Plan – Meeting the demand for school places in Essex 2019 – 2028 prepared by The Essex School Organisation Service”, we note the following:

The Report confirms that “the significant increase in demand for school places in Essex is predicted to continue” (page 4).

The Report states that the figures endeavour to account for possible future developments, and therefore, the additional demand on the schools in the area (page 7).

However, the school place forecast figures for Reception for the local area on pages 55-57 show that in some areas in the latter years covered by the Report there is already insufficient capacity.

In addition, the school place forecast figures for Secondary Schools for the local area, specifically Rochford/Hockley, on page 58 confirm that throughout 2019/2020 up to 2028/2029, there are insufficient school places to cope with current demands and development.

Any additional new developments, such as this potential development of up to approximately 450 dwellings, would certainly place increased pressure on the schools in this area and only exacerbate this issue.

Pre- School - There is only one, Clever Clogs at Hawkwell Village Hall, within one mile and there is no info on capacity.


42. Tree TPO’s ? Where are these?

RDC has declined to put TPO's on the large number of standard and valuable trees on the site and even goes so far to say even if there were TPO's then Councillors could override them.

What is going to happen if they take all these trees down, build the house and it really rains hard, that area around Clements hall is going to flood?

There would be no noise buffering from the trees and the development will suffer from the very intrusive noise from the RDC pitches.