Hambro Hill & Close Residents

RE CFS105

Reasons why this land CANNOT be included in the Local Plan.

1. It was put forward by an agent or developer, not the landowner
- Legal constraints already identified
- Landowner recently had planning application (20/00826/FUL) approved so extremely unlikely to support any development: Change of use of land from commercial to combined agricultural and equine use.
- Site was originally used as part of a landfill tip by the former Rayleigh Urban District Council which ceased around 1960.

2. Metropolitan Green Belt
- Developments must not negatively impact on the environmental quality of the local area, openness of the Green Belt or the character of the countryside.
- Rochford study: 'moderate' rating for Purpose 1 & 'strong' rating for 2 & 3:
- Checks the unrestricted sprawl of built-up areas
- Prevents Rayleigh & Hockley merging into one another
- Assists in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.

3. Grade 1 Agricultural Land
- Successfully farmed family business for over 50 years (wheat, barley and rape crops).
- Fallow agricultural land, equestrian related grazing and woodland.
- Portion diversified for equestrian centre and agricultural barn for storage.

4. Infrastructure/Transport
- Overloaded road with a dangerous junction * poor visibility
- Low bridge impact public transport - no double decker buses
- No cycle paths or means to incorporate one
No pavements near the access road
Public right of way (PROW 298_48) poorly maintained at entrance to the site.

5. Heritage Assessment by Place Services ECC
- Minor Adverse/development of this site will cause harm to a heritage asset
- The Historic Environment Record notes various finds from the pre-historic period