There are three questions for which I would appreciate a response. See below.

Whilst we accept that an enormous amount of work has gone into producing this options consultation I'm sure you would acknowledge that the average person would find these documents extremely complicated and somewhat difficult to understand.

However, having lived in Rayleigh since 1980 and witnessed considerable growth within the Rochford area as a whole we find options 1 and 2 to be totally unacceptable. I will not list all our concerns and objections since your own CONS for both options speak for themselves.

However Rayleigh itself is choking under the weight of traffic both entering the town and passing through, principally to gain access to the A127. To even consider intensification or extention would be madness. Rochford Council has already allowed considerable development along the A129 to the west of Rayleigh Town, the major area off Rawreth Lane and now a flats development behind Marks & Spencers. Your proposal for the Mill Hall and The Civic Suite sites has quite rightly met with considerable opposition from local residents. Surely that is a clear indicator that Rochford residents do not want further development within Rayleigh. This latter proposal even being within the Rayleigh Conservation Area!

Only this morning I returned on foot from the Rayleigh Wier back into the town along the A129 into the High Street. The traffic was solid and creaping along for the whole distance which further extended into Websters Way. The smell of petrol fumes was considerable and I had to cover my nose for most of the way. The current level of pollution is unacceptable and I even believe these roads have historically failed to meet the required standards for air pollution. The inevitable increase in traffic such centralised development would produce will only exacerbate the problem. I would also mention that we live in Highfield Crescent, very close to Websters Way and [redacted]'s asthma has worsened over the years, I believe as a direct consequence of this increase in traffic.

I also note that "National Policy also requires that Local Plans provide strategies that accommodate unmet need from neighbouring areas". You imply that your plans could help accomodate some of this need. There appears to be no mention of any reciprocal offers or arrangments. Are there any?

As general comment we are not in favour of random piecemeal development and as such options 3 would be by far our preferred choice.

The only development suitable for any form of housing in Rayleigh is the Castle Road waste disposal site which is totally inadequate, causes considerable traffic congestion and should have been relocated years ago.

Given this is a consultation document and emphasises that decisons are yet to be made can you explain why RDC has already embarked on a partnership with Voyage to develop a number of sites within Rochford including Rayleigh Mill Hall and the Civic Suite?

Have contracts been signed by RDC to develop these sites?