I am writing to express my objection to
TO CS194 - 500 + Houses behind Rectory Road, Hawkwell, running from Clements Hall Leisure Centre to Windsor Gardens right down to The Railway Line.

HIGHWAY ISSUES
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.

INFRASTRUCTURE ?
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.
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.
The location is currently inaccessible and any new road created from the demolition of houses in Rectory Road will be a bottleneck.
Rectory Road is on the Speedwatch list because of 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.

LOSS OF GREEN CORRIDOR FOR WILDLIFE
There has been an increase in some wildlife from the displacement of habitat at Clements Gate. Where will it go now?

PUBLIC FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
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.

BROWNFIELD LOCATION NEARBY
The Magees general location, a brownfield location very nearby could be used instead.
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.
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
AIR QUALITY
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.
FLOOD ZONE
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.
It is a greenfield and a nearby brownfield would be ignored.
ACCESSIBILITY TO SERVICES
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
No safe bike route as 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.
There is a 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
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.