I write with reference to the recent outlined areas for potential development.

I was devastated to see so many of our green spaces being considered for re development.

I imagine that most people that reside in Hockley and close surrounding areas bought their properties due to the location, community and access to these green open spaces separating us from much larger towns.

Hockley is already being affected by the conversion of all local schools to sit under a corporate umbrella, and soon will not retain any of its charm, individuality or what makes it a unique place to live.

The proposed developments not only will compromise what makes Hockley so desirable, it is only likely to encourage people who are moving from much vaster populated areas as opposed to housing growth from existing residents.

We will all be affected by the roads in terms of congestion. The conditions of these roads cannot be managed currently so I dread to think what the effects of the additional thousands of vehicles will do to them. The more concerning factor is the likely effect on the air quality for all residents, particularly those on main road locations.

I do recognise that there needs to be some allowances for growth, to meet government targets and cater for the future generations, so with this in mind I have identified a site that I do not object to in principle.

I can see that site for Rawal Pindi has been put forward. This is an infill plot that is not accessible to the public, and will have much less impact on the community than the field opposite that has also been suggested, and of which I am completely opposed to.

Infill plots, garden plots or the removal of one residence in place of a few will have far less impact than destroying well loved and utilised spaces.

With regards to the Rawal Pindi site, I do have a few minor concerns. I can see the current building is not well maintained, which leads me to believe that there would be significant areas of overgrowth in the proposed development site. I would therefore like to see a dedicated area within the development for housing any displaced wildlife.

While I agree that a well designed site would have more kerb appeal I also think that the houses should be built as sustainably as possible and that any plans submitted for the district should be made to list considerations to the environment as such. If our village has to allow for this then we should be taking responsibility for how this is undertaken and making any prospective developers also provide evidence of such.

I understand that larger sites may be favourable to the council as they can fulfil quotas and provide the additional resources needed for the increase in community, but I am also aware that large scale developers use loopholes to circumnavigate providing what is required and promised. While I acknowledge that smaller developers are not required to provide these resources, they are putting significantly less pressure on the current provisions than the likes of developments such as Hall Road, Rochford which fail to provide anything. Any increase to provisions within the area utilising the ‘smaller developer’ method will lead to reduced pressure across all existing resources, rather than just level with the population growth.

I also acknowledge that larger companies have the ability to take decisions opposing their developments to appeals and that they have a good chance of succeeding however these are not people that have ever resided in our area nor intend to live within any of the communities that they affect. This again is why I would support smaller developers as I do not believe these to have the entirely same agenda.

I hope that you navigate your considerations and decisions towards sites such as Rawal Pindi rathe