I wish to submit comments with regard to the Spatial Options Consultation, specifically around the 20 sites resulting in a potential 3.5K houses across the villages of Barling, Little Wakering & Great Wakering.

I will endeavour to complete the online feedback for each site but to ensure clarity of my concerns I have also addressed them within this email for your reference. Whilst I understand numbers need to be met, and the person receiving correspondence associated with this project is not responsible, I have great concern for our future and that of younger generations.

Schools and education
• Limited nurseries in the village with many already unable to accept children without the added pressure of further housing and families.
• Primary education - Great Wakering is already at capacity, Barling Magna is close and currently has a class without a dedicated classroom – this is against the Department for Educations guidelines, we are already failing current pupils without increased pressure.
• Some secondary schools offer dedicated buses, however general connections and access is limited.
Connectivity i.e. public transport
Current public transport options are limited, schedules and availability worse. Consideration must be made into safe access for all residents across the village, road infrastructure and the impact that increased vehicles will have. Rail access is currently not viable on foot or cycling.

Traffic and pinch points/congestion
Already exist areas of concern due to traffic and congestion as well as safety due to blind bends, existing parking, pedestrians, horses, speed etc. There are limited roads in and out of the village, as many of us have experienced when road works are in place, problems very quickly arise. A great example was recent roadworks resulting in gridlock along Little Wakering Road at school pick up time when Barling Road was closed.

Parking
Roadside parking often leaves limited space i.e. single track traffic, often there are reports of access concerns for emergency services and safety risks as a result of limited spaces and increased vehicles within the village. The impact around schools result in tension and concerns for children’s safety. Consideration must also be taken for those with disabilities or wheelchair users who often find footpaths blocked by poor parking and few suitable access points/pathways.

Doctors and medical
The Doctors surgery is often a topic of discussion due to difficulties getting appointments, increased residents will simply impact this further. To my knowledge there is one medical centre for both villages and I would be interested to understand recommended capacity for care under the Department for health.
With regard to other medical services, I believe these are also limited, for example I don’t believe there is a dentist locally.

Wildlife and nature
There is great beauty in the local area, wildlife thrives, and some rare species have been observed. It is vital to protect green areas, to protect wildlife and insects as these all support human existence.

A127/A13 access
Access to the South East is widely limited to the A127 and A13, these roads are already congested and result in delays and pollution levels locally.

Parks and open spaces
Parks and public areas are also limited, living in Barling there isn’t a park in the village for local children. In fact the village only offers a church and a school, there are no shops, few pavements and a limited offering for new developments.

Drainage
Problems are already widely reported to exist in Little Wakering Road and Kimberly Road where recently human waste was washed into residents gardens due to increased rainwater and unsuitable drainage.

Flood risk
I believe the creek originally travelled to Barling pond, should water levels continue to rise as expected, considerations must be taken into future viability.

Complimentary Designs
It is vital that any developments are complimentary in their designs to any existing properties and the village feel. Sadly developments already completed are not in keeping with historic buildings.
The tip road which was argued against and supposedly temporary, remains in place. The mounds as a result are now visible from several areas across the village and pollution caused by large vehicles still travelling back and forth extremely unfortunate.

Fair local knowledge and consideration
I understand that of the group leading the consultation – none live within the villages potentially affected. It is therefore vital to share local views and impact that developments may cause. It is also key to understand if the owners of the identified land are in agreement.

Should further detail/research/evidence be required for any of the above claims or concerns please let me know, whilst this isn’t an immediate problem, it would be remiss to not consider long term impacts. Now is time to act responsibly, both for the environment and future generations.