CFS 100 should be made available for housing, as under a balanced approach to strategy options, the small/ medium size of the site would offer secure and immediate housing completions at the start to medium term of the new Local Plan period. To further this, CFS 100 has been put forward for 100% affordable provision, which would drastically help the community needs of Hullbridge by providing some of the district’s most vulnerable people with new homes.

CFS 100 (Nevendon Salvage Yard) is currently within the greenbelt boundary, so an application to amend the greenbelt boundary or bring the site forward as a rural exception site with 100% affordable housing would be made. However, the current site’s function and purpose within the greenbelt has come under scrutiny in recent years.

For example, the housing estate on the eastern boundary of the site along Central and First Avenue are within the greenbelt, so it is questionable how well a housing estate can perform the 5 purposes of the greenbelt (as per paragraph 138 of the NPPF) with an urban settlement within it. Therefore, it is arguable that the greenbelt boundary around this site (CFS 100) already needs amending to run along Lower Road, around the existing development.

The site’s own ability to perform the 5 purposes of the greenbelt, both on its own and for the greater benefit for the district, are severely restricted.
(a) To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas – CFS 100 has built development on all boundaries. There is built form and residential developments within the greenbelt. The greenbelt is not performing this function in Hullbridge, so needs addressing.
(b) To prevent neighbouring towns merging – CFS 100 has no impact on the relationship to Ashingdon, Rayleigh, Rawreth, etc.
(c) To assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment – the same point as purpose A.
(d) To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns – the closest listed buildings/ heritage assets are within Vicarage Farm (around a mile away) and have many residential estates and commercial facilities in between them.
(e) To assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land – the site is part brownfield (with historical military use on the greenfield proportion of the site, which has been confirmed by many residents), so is suitable for housing allocation. Under both NPPF guidance and government policy, brownfield sites should be the first to be bought forward for housing.

To add to this, this site could promote sustainable development if it were to be allocated for residential development, as there is a bus stop on Lower Road on the boundary of the site. This would provide a sustainable service into larger settlements such as Rayleigh and Wickford on the 20 service. Discussions about walking and cycle routes can be had.