Rural Diversification

Greenbelt and Countryside

Objectives

The proposed allocation of one of the sites WR1-4 does not meet any of these objectives as detailed in response to the Allocations document.

The Hall Road site meets all the criteria listed on page 28 for preserving the Green Belt.

Policy DM11.

Figure 3 on page 31 shows the Agricultural land classification for the district and the protection of agricultural land is loosely referred to in this Chapter . However there is no firm policy for the protection of such land which is a natural resource. The existing policy in the Local Development Plan at 8.16 states that the Council recognises that the best and most versatile agricultural land defined as Grades 1, 2 or 3a within the Agricultural Land Classification system is a valuable natural resource for the future. It is important that as a natural resource it is protected for the future.

This policy should be retained. The proposed wording in DM11 and DM13 is inadequate to ensure the safeguarding of agricultural land falling into the of Best and Most Versatile category

Green Tourism

At present Hall Road provides an attractive gateway to one of the most picturesque historic towns in South East Essex and the proposals for large scale development in Hall Road does not accord with the Green Tourism aims.
Environmental Issues

Policy DM 24

The policy is too weak to ensure the protection of valuable habitats. The policy should a requirement for developers to provide full environmental impact and protected species surveys to ensure adequate protection and such surveys must not be carried out during winter months.

The policy should also include a requirement that where a development abuts a protected hedgerow that an appropriate buffer zone is provided. An example of the need for this requirement is Ironwell Lane.