Site reference: CFS077 Address: Land to the north of Great Wheatley Road, Rayleigh
We should stop further housing sprawl especially on the outskirts of towns such as Rayleigh where upgrading the road system is impractical. The uncertainty of the situation is causing anxiety amongst my friends and neighbours who maybe directly impacted.

Concerns are:
Loss of greenbelt, open space and wildlife habitat
Topology and Surface water drainage issues
Traffic congestion and associated air pollution
Site access (Inability to widen the narrow residential roads in Rayleigh)
School and GP services

Greenbelt
Plot CFS077 is fully utilised every year to grow a variety of local crops.
In its greenbelt role it greatly enhances the health, wellbeing and quality of life for local residents.
It provides a pleasant outlook in an area otherwise deprived of open spaces.

Wildlife
Plot CFS077 provide a buffer from human development that benefits a wide range of wildlife:
Deer, Badgers, Foxes and squirrels are supported.
Wide range of birdlife including Heron, Geese and variety of Carrion.
Amphibians, Newts, Toads and frogs.

Topology challenges
Plot CFS077 is situated on a steep hillside unsuited for new building:
Directly overlooks existing housing
Low walking completeness score 1-4
Depending on the time of year the hillside incline will create hazardous Icey and flood conditions for any new roads.

Surface drainage issues
The immediate area downhill off Plot CFS077 has a long history of surface water drainage problems.
Existing flooding of gardens from field rain water run off would be exacerbated by additional buildings and roads.

Road congestion levels
All possible access points to site CFS077 are via narrow residential roads that are already often difficult to navigate. Our present traffic delays are very challenging and would be made intolerable by heavy construction vehicles and then by the additional vehicles from increased population. As there is no potential for widening these roads CFS077 is unviable.

Air pollution - Rochford District Council LAQM Annual Status Report 2020
New concerns over air pollution in Rayleigh High Street specifically linked to proposed housing development. A primary example being plot CFS077 along with other Rayleigh sites generating additional traffic congestion. (With associated air pollution N02 and particulates)

Previous ASR reporting has mandated actions to mitigate our current pollution levels.
Section 2.2 Progress and Impact of Measures to address Air Quality in Rochford https://essexair.org.uk/Reports/Rochford2020ASR.pdf
From the report not all actions have been implemented. Therefore further action will be needed to address our current situation. Under these circumstances we should not be developing any further green belt areas in Rayleigh with associated additional road congestion.

Site access
As noted above narrow residential roads (that cannot be widened) enclose site CFS077. This fact prevents access by heavy good vehicles hence making the site unviable.

School places
My teacher friends tell me there is a severe existing shortage of school places in the immediate local area. GP services are also well known to be under great pressure.