Comments from Councillor John Mason representing Hawkwell West Ward

Has Hawkwell already been chosen? It looks like it to me with the statement "Hawkwell is the best located part of the conurbation".

"Hockley/Hawkwell is less well located in relation to the existing highway network and close to its edges the conurbation has a more rural feel than Rayleigh and Rochford/Ashingdon. Hawkwell is the best located part of the conurbation, being only a short distance from the Cherry Orchard Way link road. There are a range of environmental designations surrounding the area from the Roach Valley and Hockley Woods along the southern boundary to a series of open spaces and wildlife sites elsewhere. The conurbation is significantly limited, as a result, in terms of opportunities for expansion."

There is no planning benefit for housing developments in Hawkwell West from the Cherry Orchard Way link road. This is a red herring and must be discounted.

The routes to and from Hawkwell are all seriously congested already. Ashingdon Road via Golden Cross is one example. Another is the Cherry Orchard Way link road which only goes to the already heavily congested A127 via three roundabouts which come to a standstill several times a day: Cherry Orchard Lane/Eastwood Lane/Nestuda Way/A127.

The access to the A130 and Rayleigh is via the B1013 and the congestion in Hawkwell/Hockley. The roundabout at Foxhunters is congested with serious tailbacks into Rectory Road several times a day.

It is understood that several large development sites in Hawkwell West have been notified to the Council. The sites in Thorpe Road are only accessible via a rural unmade road. This is not acceptable. Nor is the loss of green belt in this semi rural area.

The field to the east of the Clements Hall Leisure Centre has no access from there and only by a bridle way leading to Windsor Gardens. The Magees Mushroom Nursery is brownfield but again the access is via a bridle way.

Residents do not wish any of the green belt adjoining CHLC to be released for development.

Hawkwell West does not have any significant capacity for housing development and it is considered that the 400 house allocation for Hawkwell/Hockley is too high unless the District Council can forsee there being 20 or so small infill sites of average 20 houses which are already designated residential or brownfield sites with good access and infrastructure nearby.

On behalf of residents I object at this stage to the allocation of 400 houses to Hawkwell and Hockley.