Object
New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021
Representation ID: 40394
Received: 08/08/2021
Respondent: Chris Openshaw
References: CFS027, CFS029, CFS053, CFS086 & CFS098
Areas: Rayleigh - Wellington Rd, Napier Rd, Farm land at the end of Bull lane
Flooding
The area around Victoria park has a history of flooding with significant issues for the homes in Blower close a particular problem.
Works have already been under taken to try to manage water run off but the changes proposed would certainly make the situation worse with loss of areas that can absorb and slow the passage of storm water. The storm drainage is already over capacity in this area and any new developments would have a negative impact on existing flood potential.
Green belt
The maximising of brownfield land should be prioritised before any Green Belt land is released for development. This area is a mature part of Rayleigh which has already been developed many years ago. The green spaces and farm land are part of the key characteristics of this location and new developments would irreversibly damage this.
Biodiversity
The fields shown in the map marked as prospective sites have a huge amount of local wildlife. Wild flower meadows in the summer for insects and bees and areas of hawthorn and bramble that provide homes for a host of native species. The proposal would damage this and remove habitat.
Over development
The areas earmarked would create potential conflict with the identity and character of existing mature housing that could be damaged by unmanaged development.
Infrastructure
An infrastructure-first approach to planning is required as there are existing issues with infrastructure capacity including in relation to roads, public transport, schools and healthcare facilitator in the Rayleigh area.
The identified sites would put pressure on the access roads. Both Bull lane and the Hockley Rd were not designed for the level of traffic currently seen. Bull lane in particular is constantly in a state of running repairs as it gets used as a cut through and more houses will only exacerbate this.
Albert Rd in particular, should not be considered as an access road as it is already congested with parked residents cars and is effectively a single narrow road with passage for only cars in single file.
I urge RDC to think again and look for brownfield locations or areas on the fringes of existing towns with better access to major roads. The pursuit of infilling and erosion of green belt to hit poorly conceived national housing targets, at all cost, must stop. The damage to our future Rayleigh is irreversible once land use has been changed and housing built on our green spaces.
References: CFS027, CFS029, CFS053, CFS086 & CFS098
Areas: Rayleigh - Wellington Rd, Napier Rd, Farm land at the end of Bull lane
Flooding
The area around Victoria park has a history of flooding with significant issues for the homes in Blower close a particular problem.
Works have already been under taken to try to manage water run off but the changes proposed would certainly make the situation worse with loss of areas that can absorb and slow the passage of storm water. The storm drainage is already over capacity in this area and any new developments would have a negative impact on existing flood potential.
Green belt
The maximising of brownfield land should be prioritised before any Green Belt land is released for development. This area is a mature part of Rayleigh which has already been developed many years ago. The green spaces and farm land are part of the key characteristics of this location and new developments would irreversibly damage this.
Biodiversity
The fields shown in the map marked as prospective sites have a huge amount of local wildlife. Wild flower meadows in the summer for insects and bees and areas of hawthorn and bramble that provide homes for a host of native species. The proposal would damage this and remove habitat.
Over development
The areas earmarked would create potential conflict with the identity and character of existing mature housing that could be damaged by unmanaged development.
Infrastructure
An infrastructure-first approach to planning is required as there are existing issues with infrastructure capacity including in relation to roads, public transport, schools and healthcare facilitator in the Rayleigh area.
The identified sites would put pressure on the access roads. Both Bull lane and the Hockley Rd were not designed for the level of traffic currently seen. Bull lane in particular is constantly in a state of running repairs as it gets used as a cut through and more houses will only exacerbate this.
Albert Rd in particular, should not be considered as an access road as it is already congested with parked residents cars and is effectively a single narrow road with passage for only cars in single file.
I urge RDC to think again and look for brownfield locations or areas on the fringes of existing towns with better access to major roads. The pursuit of infilling and erosion of green belt to hit poorly conceived national housing targets, at all cost, must stop. The damage to our future Rayleigh is irreversible once land use has been changed and housing built on our green spaces.