Dear Rochford District Council members,

My husband and I are writing in response to your New Local Plan and, in particular, to the Spatial Options Document 2021.

We have lived in the Ashingdon Road, near to the Golden Cross, for 51 years and have seen many changes in that time, mostly to the number of houses that have been built, either as new estates or squeezed into unused spaces between existing homes, and how the traffic from these all feeds into the Ashingdon Road.

We understand that growth must happen, that the area is and will continue to grow as it has been doing and that RDC has an obligation to provide a certain number of homes every year. However, it seems to us, that the Rochford Eco Village proposed by the owners of Doggetts Farm is an excellent way forward and we would highly recommend it.

It aims to meet everything that the local residents are most concerned about – firstly, affordable houses that can quickly be constructed, are carbon negative and have zero utility bills. Secondly, leisure facilities, these are recognised much more now than they were 50 years ago as being vital to our health and wellbeing as are woods, beauty spots and walks away from traffic pollution. Thirdly, the inclusion of doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries together with a Special Needs School and sensory play facilities for the further development of children and adults. None of this has been included in the housing estates that have been built since we lived here, and would have all the benefits of providing growth, homes and employment while protecting the environment.

Doggetts Farm lies between Rochford and Ashingdon and could well become a flagship of a carbon neutral, affordable development in this area that will not impinge further onto the Ashingdon Road. This is an opportunity that has not been available in the last 50 years but my husband and I firmly believe that you, as a Council, now has the responsibility to make it happen for the sake of everyone’s children and grandchildren in the next 50.