Option WH3

green belt was set up to protect the enviroment, not to allow housing to be added later.

Green belt should be protected. Hockley does not want or need these houses. Represent local views not goverment pressure.

This area is totally wrong for major development of 50 dwellings. All roads that surrond these sites are totally unsuitable to support the development, Folly Lane, Fountain Lane, Folly Chase and Church Road, are narrow and are currently not able to suport further traffic. These roads are already beening used to excess to avoid the congestion on the B1013 from Rayleigh to Hockley, which we know from ECC is currently running at full capacity, even on a Saturday.

This is an area used by wakers and cyclists.

As per WH1, traffic congestion too great.

Whilst I appreciate the need for new houses ,my concern is access. Using Folly Chase as access in to Folly Lane would increase traffic on an already overly congested road.

Same objections as with Option WH1 bringing your attention to reduction in the Green Belt

there does not appear to be any access and is used for growing crops

I object to development here on the grounds that it is farmland, used only last year for growing wheat. No-one in their right mind would surely allow development on prime agricultural land that will be needed to feed our growing poulation as well as being an assault on green belt and a beautiful country area.

This is not disused agricultural land - please see report and photos submitted to you separately taken in March 2010 of the spraying of the current crop. This in itself demonstrates that the council officials have not bothered to attend the proposed site before including this as an option.
This is a unique ,beautiful ,quiet ,environmentally rich area of green belt land which is easily accessible by all in the local community as it connects to the community centre,Hockley Primary school, Betts Farm etc .This enables all,whether young ,old ,ramblers etc to feel immediately out in the middle of beautiful countryside. You can see from the well worn footpath in the attached photos that it is frequently used and valued.
Essex County Council supported the leaflet produced of walks in Hockley which detailed paths 10 and 11 which is Folly Chase and the connecting footpaths bordering the proposed WH1 - again please see the beautiful photos taken of these areas which would of course be destroyed if the development took place. It is essential if we are to have further housing that areas such as WH1 are protected for the benefit of all the community. Also the wealth of wildlife that are dependant on the areas specifically woodpeckers, great crested newts,badgers etc are seen on a daily basis.

Same objection as I submitted for WH1

No development of green belt land

I have to state that the building of 50 homes would, presumably, lead to a further 100,or so, cars. Folly Lane/Folly chase/Fountain Lane are, especially at peak times, already stretched to cope with the current volume of traffic. Without a major by-pass [ as has been muted by The Council in the past ], this suggestion would only add further unacceptable congestion. The infastructure, as exists, would be insufficient to accommodate the additional strain of this development.

Object for the same reasons as WH1

This land close to side Hockley Primary School and is a much loved and well used resource for the children to safely enjoy. They constantly use it for local rural studies and they love the tractors. When the school moved to this site it was well documented that this green belt area would be preserved for the children as they nolonger had direct access to Hockley Woods. Hockley School proudly advertises itself as being in a "beautiful rural setting", and that is why parents choose it. Taking this away would be tragic for the whole community but especially children.

I live at the other end of Hockley village. However my two children attend Hockley Primary School - we all very much appreciate this area of green belt as it is so close to the village and easily accessible - it would be such a loss to the children who love to walk and bike around it including to the Meadowfield centre and other nature walks. We use it frequently during the week and at weekends - it is really peaceful and beautiful

Unique piece of green belt land surrounded by the jubillee walk which is very accessible to all in the community - it provides an accessible and beautiful LINK between the community centre,primary school,church and thousands of residents - used by many daily. Particularly used and of huge benefit to all the children of Hockley Primary School - immediately they leave their school grounds they are in open countryside and woodland. Used by them to attend the ancient bluebell wood and the Meadowfield Nature centre regularly.
Development on this land would destroy a huge variety of wildlife that depend on this area.
NB - I have spoken to many parents at the school today about this ,none of whom were aware of this proposal which is of great concern

We live outside Hockley but visit often. We regularly use the jubilee walk surrounding WH1,3 and 4 with the children as it is a lovely but not too extensive circular walk from the main road and the Bull pub and up through Folly Chase. It is a great chance to get out into open countryside but at the same time not be too far from the main fascilities. Development on this land would be a great loss to those within and outside the community.

This area is wrong for major development of 50 dwellings. All roads that surrond these sites are at breaking point are would be unable to support the development, Folly Lane, Fountain Lane and Church Road, are narrow and are currently being used as rat runs by commuter traffic. Folly wood and Hockley primary school are proposed to be protected areas and Folly Chase is a private road where would access to the WH1 3 qnd 4 sites be located?
School traffic and overflow parking for staff already a major issue in Chevening Gardens, Osborne avenue and Manor Road

This would be awful for local residents and for the pupils at Hockley Primary School.Traffic is already a big problem aroud the School and the children of HPS use the propsed route to walk to Meadowfields through woodland.This would all be destroyed if the plans went ahead.No new housing is needed in this area all the Infastructure in Hockley is already bursting at the seams!!

same reasons as WH4

SMALL DEVELOPMENT, HIGH ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT ON SURROUNDING AREA. VERY POOR ACCESS TO SITE. POOR SERVICES TO THE AREA
THERE ARE OTHER BETTER SITES IN THE AREA IE WH2

As WH1 I have had NO PRIOR NOTICE of the Councils intentions to build on the site. I think it is a very inappropriate place as it will add pressure to an already very busy road and more pressure on the local amenities including the school!

My Children attend Hockley Primary School and use the green belt fields an awful lot. What a shame this would be to use for housing. Also we do not have the infastructre to support this in the way of Schools and Doctors etc.

I object to the building of houses on green belt land that is so benificial to children and adults in this community also adding extra volume of cars by the school,green belt land should remain green belt land!!! this is not acceptable!!!

Option WH1 although has a defensible boundary in the form of the woodland to the north and west, however, it does extend unnecessary into the Green Belt when you consider that there is a suitable Brownfield option (WH2).

The boundaries to Options WH3 & WH4 have been drawn arbitrary around the existing settlement and as such there would be no defensible Green Belt boundary, contrary to PPG2.

Option WH2 is the preferred option in this location as it would result in the redeveloped of previously developed land and create a defensible Green Belt boundary.

1. INTRODUCTION

We act for Pond Chase Nursery Limited, the owners of Site Option WH2 as identified in the above document.

We have submitted previous representations to the District Council in support of this site in response to Call for Sites, the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and the Core Strategy.

These representations seek to demonstrate that the Pond Chase Nursery Site is available, suitable and achievable for development in accordance with objectives set out in paragraph 54 of PPS3.

The Core Strategy Submission Document provides for 50 dwellings at West Hockley. The Site Allocations document is required to be consistent with the Core Strategy and in that regard part of the representations submitted below will demonstrate that housing development on the Pond Chase Nursery site will be consistent with policies contained in the Submission Core Strategy.

The representations will also consider the other option sites in relation to West Hockley. A Sustainability Appraisal relating to development on the site is also attached.

2. SITE CONTEXT

The site comprises part previously developed land and part open land with a total area of about 4 hectares. Site plan attached.

The southern part of the site comprises previously developed land formed by an extensive range of buildings and area of concrete hardstanding with existing access onto Folly Lane. The northern rear part of the site comprises open land with the northern boundary defined by the existing railway.

The site lies just over 1 km. from the town centre where a range of retail and community facilities are located. The site also lies broadly within 400m. of regular bus services that operate on Aldermans Hill where services run to Rayleigh and Southend.

3. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

The previous submissions to the local authority have indicated that housing development would take place on the previously developed land which comprises about 1.8 hectares with the current open land being provided as public open space and for nature conservation purposes. That area would comprise about 2.2 hectares.

Insofar as the housing development is concerned, it will adhere to principles of the Essex Design Guide and will provide for a range of dwelling sizes commensurate with needs arising within the local community.

A Design Brief for the site will be prepared and will indicate a higher density of development for the front of the site reducing to a lower density to achieve an appropriate relationship with the open land to the rear.

Insofar as the open land is concerned, it is proposed that about 0.7 hectares will be provided for public open space to include opportunities for passive and active recreation including a children's play area. The remainder of the open land will be provided as an area for nature conservation and it is proposed that measures for enhancement and management will be subject of discussion with appropriate bodies in due course.

Insofar as the area for nature conservation interest is concerned, the site has been the subject of an ecological appraisal which will inform proposals for the site. It is proposed that the area for nature conservation will be transferred to a public body to ensure that it is retained for nature conservation interests in perpetuity.

The site has also been the subject of flood risk assessment and geo-environmental investigation. Insofar as the geo-environmental investigation is concerned, the conclusions indicated that the site is suitable for residential development and that there is a low risk of any widespread contamination. The report recommended that a detailed analysis be undertaken in support of any planning application.

Insofar as the flood risk assessment is concerned, the site is shown to be within Flood Zone 1 and highlighted that the amount of impermeable area will be significantly reduced through re-development and the removal of existing hardstanding on the site. A drainage strategy and revised flood risk assessment taking into account the latest guidance will be submitted in support of any application for development.

4. CORE STRATEGY

The Core Strategy has been submitted to the Secretary of State and is scheduled to be the subject of an examination commencing in May 2010.

The Core Strategy identifies that the East of England Plan requires that a minimum of 4,600 dwellings be provided in the District between 2001 and 2021. In response to that the Core Strategy at Policy H2 identifies the distribution of dwellings in the District to include provision of 50 units at West Hockley within the plan period to 2015.

Of that housing provision, Policy H4 requires that affordable housing should form 35% of developments with an indication that 80% be provided for social housing and 20% for intermediate housing.

Policy H5 requires new development to contain a mix of dwelling types to ensure that they meet needs from within the community.

Appendix 1 in relation to the Housing Section of the Core Strategy identifies infrastructure items that are expected to be delivered from housing development.

Insofar as West Hockley is concerned, four items are identified as follows:

* Sustainable drainage systems:
Response: A planning application for housing development on the site will be accompanied by a drainage strategy which will seek to provide for sustainable drainage systems. The flood risk assessment indicated such an approach.

* Public open space:
Response: The proposed development provides for a total of 2.2 hectares of open land part of which will be provided as active public open space with a balance for nature conservation but where limited public access will remain available.

* Local highway improvements:
Response: The planning application will be the subject of a transport assessment which will compare flows from the existing uses with that of the proposed residential development. Development will make a contribution to reasonably related off-site highway improvements.

* Play space:
Response: Provision will be made for play space either within the area of public open space and/or within the proposed housing area. The size and distribution of such play space within the development will be subject to discussion with the local authority.

* Link to cycle/network:
Response: Provision is made for segregated cycle route within the proposed development. This can be extended through the site to abut the northern boundary to meet any off-site cycle path proposals that may come forward. Development will contribute to other off-site cycle route measures to encourage cycle use between the development and local facilities.

The above demonstrates that the proposed development for the site will achieve consistency with housing policies set out in the Core Strategy Submission document.

Policy GB1 of the Core Strategy submission indicates that the local authority will allocate the minimum amount of Green Belt land necessary to meet the District's housing and employment needs.

Insofar as Pond Chase Nursery is concerned, other than the direct frontage to Folly Lane, the site lies within the Green Belt. However, that part proposed for housing comprises entirely previously developed land with existing open land to the rear being proposed for positive use for recreational and nature conservation purposes in accordance with general Green Belt objectives. Development of the site therefore does not propose development on currently open Green Belt land.

The provision of allocation for development at Pond Chase Nursery has the capacity to provide for the housing allocation for West Hockley with minimum incursion into the Green Belt.

5. OPTION SITES

The Allocations dpd identifies five possible development sites to accommodate the housing requirement for West Hockley. We consider these in turn below.

Option WH1: Folly Chase:

This site comprises open arable land to the north of the built-up area of Hockley. The site merges with other open Green Belt land both to the east and west with the railway line to the north.

Folly Chase is a private road serving low density detached houses and also forms a public footpath that continues beyond the railway to the north.

We object to this proposed option on the basis that it comprises open Green Belt land that merges with open land adjacent. In addition, the highway access would require significant improvements including road widening and possible demolition of existing residential properties to achieve satisfactory access. Such access will also give rise to conflicts with users of the public footpath. In overall terms development would be highly intrusive within the landscape abutting the edge of Hockley.



Option WH2:

We support the housing allocation of this site for the reasons set out in our statement above.

The site comprises previously developed land and can provide for a defensible Green Belt boundary.

In order to provide additional beneficial development we would recommend that the site allocation extend to include land to the north and for that part to be identified for public open space and an area for nature conservation.

Option WH3:

We object to housing development on this site for the same reasons as WH1. It comprises open Green Belt land merging with other land adjacent.

Vehicular access to the site is particularly difficult and will require significant widening of Folly Chase and the possible demolition of residential properties. Traffic generated by the development would conflict with public footpath users.

In overall terms development would be highly intrusive within the Green Belt on the northern edge of Hockley.

Option WH4:

We object to development on this site because it comprises open agricultural land merging with adjoining land. It is also more detached from the built-up area being enclosed to the south by woodland. Vehicular access to the site would be difficult for the same reasons as other options in that Folly Chase would require significant improvement to accommodate vehicular access which may result in the loss of residential properties. There will also be conflict with public footpath users.
Development would be visually intrusive on the northern edge of Hockley.


Option WH5:

Insofar as this site indicates a possible extension of Option WH2 we raise no objections and acknowledge that expansion towards Church Road has the potential of a second phase of development post 2015.

Development of the scale proposed prior to 2015 of 50 dwellings can be satisfactorily accessed from a single point of access from Folly Lane but a second access to Church Road as part of with any second phase of development would be a matter for detailed highway consideration at that stage.

It is noted that such expansion would encompass previously developed land comprising existing residential properties and curtilages.

Insofar as this option is concerned it is an option that Pond Chase Nursery do not wish to actively support but its long term capacity is acknowledged.

6. CONCLUSIONS

The above represent our submission in response to the Allocations Development Plan Document. We have sought to identify that the allocation of land as Option WH2 meets policy objectives set out in the Core Strategy Submission Document and in terms of meeting housing delivery objectives of PPS3.

RE: ALLOCATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PLAN DOCUMENTS



Thank you for giving Anglian Water the opportunity to comment on the above document.



Please find our comments summarized on the attached document.