Q6. Which of the identified strategy options do you consider should be taken forward in the Plan?

Showing comments and forms 301 to 330 of 358

Object

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 42894

Received: 10/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Paul Claydon

Representation Summary:

I am writing to register my objection to the RDC Local Plan to build between 7200 to 10,800 new homes in the Rochford district and principally in Rayleigh where the majority of new homes will be built. My general objection is to the damage to the local environment and nature with said construction on green belt and land which has been allowed to have become over grown with trees and vegetation allowing wild life to thrive. For RDC to state in their draft vision for Rochford in 2050 that Rochford will be a “green and pleasant place” is nothing short of insulting to the local residents with the proposals put forward. Rayleigh in particular cannot take on the scale of new homes being proposed and I urge Rochford District Council to rethink their current plans and instead support the Liberal Democrat alternative proposal to build a new garden village close to Fossetts Way near Southend.

Full text:

I am writing to register my objection to the RDC Local Plan to build between 7200 to 10,800 new homes in the Rochford district and principally in Rayleigh where the majority of new homes will be built. My general objection is to the damage to the local environment and nature with said construction on green belt and land which has been allowed to have become over grown with trees and vegetation allowing wild life to thrive. For RDC to state in their draft vision for Rochford in 2050 that Rochford will be a “green and pleasant place” is nothing short of insulting to the local residents with the proposals put forward. Rayleigh in particular cannot take on the scale of new homes being proposed and I urge Rochford District Council to rethink their current plans and instead support the Liberal Democrat alternative proposal to build a new garden village close to Fossetts Way near Southend.

My general objections to this consultation are as follows:

1. You will be destroying green belt, farming land and nature habitats; I refer specifically to your site references CFS053; CFS098 and CFS029
2. You will be destroying nature habitats in site reference CFS086, specifically badger sets, bat colonies, fox dens, squirrels and general bird and insect life.
3. The roads in Rayleigh in particular become very congested in weekday morning and early evening rush hours especially when there is the school run. In addition the roads become almost grid locked when there is a vehicle breakdown, accident or road works due to necessary emergency repair of utility services (which we have frequently). So, with the potential of 7200 new homes which will provide at a conservative estimate of over 14,000 new cars to the district I would like to know how the current road network can handle this increased volume of traffic?
4. The current utilities are creaking at the sides with the current volume of homes, specifically:
a. Electricity – we in Nelson Road experience on average around 4 power cuts per year, most recently on 15th August. How will the building of 7200 new homes help this situation?
b. Water and Sewerage – Essex Water and Anglia Water are frequent visitors to Nelson road (as recent as week commencing 23rd August) to repair their overstretched infrastructure. In particular they have attended Hamilton Mews on I would estimate at least 4 times within the past 12 months. Additionally, we had the problem in Bull Lane with water supply issues which must have been worked on for the best part of a year causing yet more traffic disruption. Clearly there is a major problem with the water and sewerage supplies in the Rayleigh area, so how can building this vast amount of new homes improve the situation with the current overstretched water and sewerage infrastructure?
5. Doctor surgeries within Rayleigh are over run now, particularly with Audley Mills which has an “open book” policy and for the older population it is becoming increasingly difficult and stressful to book an appointment. The 7200 new homes, the majority being in Rayleigh, will increase the population by an estimated 2.4 people per home, this will increase to 17,280 new people. You will need to build a new surgery the size of Audley Mills to cater for the increased volume but the amount of qualified GP’s in the UK is reducing so how would the NHS find the staff?

My Specific objections to the following sites are as follows:

CFS086 (Land between Rivendell and Brookside, Napier Road). This develop directly effects my family as from what I can understand you are considering building 11 homes at the bottom half of my garden.
a. We moved to this house in 2002 at not an inconsiderable cost and my then neighbour at No 77, Mr Franco Nicoli, had a garden that run adjacent to mine. I was aware that he owned the spare land in Napier Road but at no time was there any discussion or consultation that when he sold his house to Mr and Mrs Jones approximately 12 years ago, he was going keep the bottom half of his garden for a housing development. I would have course objected to any such proposal as it is a direct violation of our privacy in our own garden.
b. The space has become extremely over grown over the past 10 years and is now effectively a small forest which has become a home for a vast amount of wildlife which have access into my garden. These include Badgers, Foxes, Bats and we’ve even had a monk jack deer in our garden all which come from Mr Nicoli’s land. I am aware that Bats and Badgers are a protected species and I will be informing the Bat Conservation Trust to invite them at the bottom of our garden to watch them take flight at dusk.
c. Access in Napier Road. A planning request was turned down approximately three years ago due in part to limited access in and out of Napier Road, nothing has changed in turns of access as the road is extremely narrow and will allow only one vehicle width where this space of land is. With the large amount of construction vehicles, building delivers, builder’s vehicles etc the road would effectively be blocked denying access to and from Nelson road to the “Brookside” property and the house further east by the stables.
d. If it is true that RDC are planning on building 11 homes in this small plot of land they can only be classed as “affordable homes” which is totally out of context with Nelson Road which is regarded as one of the best roads in Rayleigh for quality homes.
e. Noise Pollution and loss of privacy will be a major issue for me and my neighbours with the construction of the new homes and the resulting loss of privacy following the construction of the homes.

CFS053 (Land South of 38 & 39 Wellington Road), CFS098 (Land North of Napier Road) and CFS029 (Land at Turrett Farm, Napier Road)
a. This land is green belt and should not be built on.
b. The land in CFS053 and CFS098 is at a fairly steep gradient towards the gardens in Nelson road. Certainly during the winter period we can experience heavy rainfall which causes water to cascade down the fields towards the gardens. I am concerned that with the building of a “concrete jungle” this will only heighten the problem as the rain will not have the opportunity of soaking into the sodden ground and not only will it be a problem for the outbuildings many of us have at the bottom of our respective gardens it will also be a major problem for the new homes built at the bottom of the slope.
c. As mentioned above, we are privileged to experience much nature in this area due to the surrounding fields. The removal of these fields will only do damage to the nature conservation in this area with the loss of habitats for badgers, foxes, deer, bird wild life, insects etc

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 42900

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Chris Baylis

Representation Summary:

I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause

Full text:

I write in response to the above.

Firstly, with regard to the Vision Statement for Hullbridge - There was no consultation with our community before this vision was prepared - why was this not done? The vision I have is for Hullbridge to remain a village with an improved public transport system keeping the coastline as it is for residents and visitors to walk along and enjoy the unspoilt views.

I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause.

The infrastructure in Hullbridge is not adequate now, let alone when the new development of, I believe, 500 properties are finally completed from the previous Local Plan! This has caused significant strain on public services, roads etc. Yet the Council have failed to complete transport and sustainable infrastructure assessments prior to this consultation.

Hullbridge is already noticing the effects that increased housing has caused and the development is not even complete! The strain to our primary school (we have no secondary school) and to our medical centre.

The road infrastructure in Hullbridge cannot be improved upon. We have one road that runs through Hullbridge from Rayleigh to Hockley and one road that leads from Lower Road to the river (Ferry Road). These roads cannot be improved upon. It doesn’t take much for the whole village to be gridlocked or cut off if there is a problem. The sinkhole in Hullbridge Road this year is a good example where you could only get out of the village via Hockley causing significant problems not only in Hullbridge but in Hockley and beyond. Similarly, only yesterday, a road accident on Lower Road caused the road to be blocked and when vehicles tried to go through back roads all those roads became totally gridlocked. When the current development is finished we will have a lot more traffic on our one road in and out of the village so more chance of this sort of thing happening more often. Let alone having even more developments in future Local Plans.

A lot of Hullbridge is Green Belt and Coastal Protection Belt. Any further developments would harm these areas and impact on natural habitats.

With regard Critical Flood and drainage risks - Hullbridge will have a significant proportion of the village below sea level by 2040.

Public transport in Hullbridge is not adequate. There is no public transport whatsoever that runs down Lower Road towards Hockley. There is now no school bus that runs in Hullbridge.

On the South side of the village there are no recreation areas and a lack of pavement and crossings, which with the increase in vehicles due to the current development and lack of speed restrictions has made it more dangerous for pedestrians than it was before.

So you can see that Hullbridge hasn’t got adequate infrastructure now so will certainly not be able to cope with any more development and serious consideration must be made to look at alternative options.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 42913

Received: 10/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Deborah Mercer

Representation Summary:

A combination of 3 and 4.
Creating a new town would enable all the infrastructure to be put in place, allowing more scope for cycling routes and pedestrianised areas. This will stop the urban sprawl which is currently happening in the larger town (and proposed in option 1), creating traffic havoc and pollution. Combining this with option 4 could help with spreading the balance of housing needs, traffic, etc. across the whole of the district and not just in one place.

Full text:

RDC/Spatial Consultation 2021 Questions

Q1. Are there any other technical evidence studies that you feel the Council needs to prepare to inform its new Local Plan, other than those listed in this section?
A: Evaluate the impact of the current developments, especially in Rayleigh and Hullbridge.
Q2. Do you agree with our draft vision for Rochford District? Is there anything missing from the vision that you feel needs to be included? [Please state reasoning]
A: Mostly, although I do not feel you have included enough information on how you might achieve housing for the hidden homeless or those on low incomes, emergency housing provision, schemes to allow the elderly in large houses to be able to downsize or how you plan to provide suitable commercial units of varying sizes, to allow businesses to up or downsize into a suitably sized premises without them needing to relocate into another area.
Q3. Do you agree that we should develop a range of separate visions for each of our settlements to help guide decision-making? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes, as each settlement has its own characteristics and needs.
Q4. Do you agree with the strategic priorities and objectives we have identified? Is there anything missing from the strategic priorities or objectives that you feel needs to be included? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q5. Do you agree with the settlement hierarchy presented? If not, what changes do you think are required? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. Rayleigh is the largest town in the district but you need to maintain the green boundaries between the surrounding areas.
Q6. Which of the identified strategy options do you consider should be taken forward in the Plan? [Please state reasoning]
A: A combination of 3 and 4.
Creating a new town would enable all the infrastructure to be put in place, allowing more scope for cycling routes and pedestrianised areas. This will stop the urban sprawl which is currently happening in the larger town (and proposed in option 1), creating traffic havoc and pollution. Combining this with option 4 could help with spreading the balance of housing needs, traffic, etc. across the whole of the district and not just in one place.
Q7. Are there any reasonable alternatives to these options that should be considered instead? [Please state reasoning]
A: Windfalls should be included in the housing quota.
Q8. Are there any key spatial themes that you feel we have missed or that require greater emphasis? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes: Cultural and Accessibility.
Q9. Do you agree we should take a sequential approach to flood risk and coastal change in our plan, locating development away from areas at risk of flooding and coastal change wherever possible? How can we best protect current and future communities from flood risk and coastal change? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. We need to ensure we have a suitable plan to protect not only our towns and village communities (houses/businesses) but also the natural areas as well. We need adequate defences to limit flooding in all areas, protecting people and wildlife. Maybe these could be incorporated in the “natural” landscape theming so as to deflect any water away from these areas. New developments not only need to address their carbon footprint but also the design of the housing they build so that they limit flood damage.
Q10. Do you agree that the Coastal Protection Belt and Upper Roach Valley should be protected from development that would be harmful to their landscape character? Are there other areas that you feel should be protected for their special landscape character? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. I feel all of our coastal areas and areas of special interest, where there is a significant risk of flooding and harm to the environment needs careful consideration. Our ancient woodlands also need to be protected and well managed.
Q11. Do you agree we should require development to source a percentage of their energy from low-carbon and renewable sources? Are there other opportunities in the District to supply low-carbon or renewable energy?
A: Vast swathes of land being used for solar panels or unsightly wind farms should not be allowed. I do not feel we have used the potential of tidal renewable energy themes. We have potential in some areas to explore this without defacing our district. All new homes should be fitted with solar, either on their roof or windows and commercial properties could be encouraged to fit solar panels to their roof.
Q12. Do you agree we should require new development to achieve energy efficiency standards higher than building regulations? What level should these be set at? [Please state reasoning].
A: I believe that we should aim to achieve a higher standard if possible and encourage developers to put forward new ways of achieving this. We are planning for future generations and should not be stuck in the past. Why go for minimum standards? Always aim higher!
Q13. How do you feel the plan can help to support the local generation of low-carbon and renewable energy? Are there locations where you feel energy generation should be supported? [Please state reasoning]
A: Solar in all new development as standard. Incentives to encourage existing developments to install solar onto their properties as well as any commercial buildings to be fitted with solar to their roofs (there are many flat roofed buildings all over the district that could accommodate solar panels without damaging the landscape). Explore tidal energy and seek out suitable locations in order to ascertain whether it is viable. No wind turbines! They would ruin the landscape.
Q14. Do you consider that the plan should include a place-making charter that informs relevant policies? Should the same principles apply everywhere in the District, or should different principles apply to different areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: The district has some very distinct areas and a “one shoe fits all” would be detrimental to some smaller communities. The place-making charter should be bespoke, with each area being considered in its own right. The rules on building should be strict so as to enhance the areas of development and needs to consider the wider picture in respect of amenities, open spaces, retail, schools, services, pollution, character and accessibility (to name but a few). There should not be deviation of plans unless there are exceptional circumstances. Time and time again out SPD2 documents are ignored and ugly extensions and dormers are built to the detriment of the area.
Q15. Are the principles set out in the draft place-making charter the right ones? Are there other principles that should be included? [Please state reasoning]
A: They are, as long as they are adhered to.
Q16a. Do you consider that new design guides, codes or masterplans should be created alongside the new Local Plan?
A: Yes.
➔ Q16b. If yes, do you think it is more appropriate to have a single design guide/code for the whole District, or to have design guides/codes/masterplans for individual settlements or growth areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: You need different design guides/etc as our district is unique and diverse and the “one shoe fits all" would be detrimental to its character and charm.
➔ Q16c. What do you think should be included in design guides/codes/masterplans at the scale you are suggesting? [Please state reasoning].
A: You need to ensure that the character and heritage of our settlements are adhered to whilst allowing for some growth, in order to rejuvenate the smaller settlements if needed.
Q17. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best plan to meet our need for different types, sizes and tenures of housing? [Please state reasoning]
A: By working closely with planners and developers, as well as different charities and communities, residents and businesses. You will then get a better understanding as to what you need and what will be achievable.
Q18. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there areas or sites in Rochford that you feel require a specific approach to housing types, size and tenure? What is required to meet housing needs in these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: The district has a large number of houses, existing and approved that have 4 or 5 bedrooms. The number of homes available with 2 or 3 bedrooms is minimal, which increases their price and availability. The smaller properties are the ones that need to be affordable for families. We should ensure that our “affordable“ properties are not all flats and that the minimum (or higher) standards are met for gardens/recreational space. There are sure to be single, elderly residents that would like to downsize from their large family homes, into a smaller, more manageable one but do not wish to go into an assisted living/residential /retirement home. They may want a 1 or 2 bedroomed property, maybe one storey, or low rise apartment that they own freehold. We also need to consider that some of our residents may need residential care and we should be looking at ways to cope with the rising number of elderly and provide accommodation for them also. We desperately need to meet the needs of the hidden homeless. The adult children on low wages that have no hope of starting a life of their own away from their parents. By living in these conditions, even if the family unit is tight and loving, it will cause mental health issues, stress and anxiety. We also need accessible properties for our disabled members of our community, where they are assisted in order to fulfil a normal as possible life. Emergency and social housing also need to be addressed.

Q19. Are there any other forms of housing that you feel we should be planning for? How can we best plan to meet the need for that form of housing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Housing for the hidden homeless – those “sofa surfing”, or adult children living at home with parents as they are on low wages or wages that would not allow them to move out to rent or buy somewhere on their own. Adapted homes for the disabled (physical, blind, etc.). Smaller, free hold properties for the older generation to enable them to downsize from large family homes. Social housing. Emergency housing.
Q20. With reference to the options listed, or your own options, what do you think is the most appropriate way of meeting our permanent Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs? [Please state reasoning]
A: You need to find a permanent site that has a little room to expand but not exponentially. The “Traveller” life has changed over the years and many will not fit into this category. We need to be integrating those not deemed into the classification into everyday life and housing. We also need it to be managed so that illegal building work and population do not exceed its capacity. This site will need good access and be somewhere where it does not impose or affect other residents.
Q21. With reference to the options listed, or your own options, what do you think is the most appropriate way of meeting our temporary Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs? [Please state reasoning]
A: You need to find a permanent site that has a little room to expand but not exponentially. The “Traveller” life has changed over the years and many will not fit into this category. We need to be integrating those not deemed into the classification into everyday life and housing. We also need it to be managed so that illegal building work and population do not exceed its capacity. This site will need good access and be somewhere where it does not impose or affect other residents.

Q22. What do you consider would need to be included in a criteria-based policy for assessing potential locations for new Gypsy and Traveller sites? [Please state reasoning]
A: Easy access re large vehicles to the site and main roads to ensure the residential roads are not blocked by the larger vehicles. Room for some expansion that would not encroach on the surrounding area. Away from residents to reduce disturbance of vehicle movements. Not in an area of interest or recreation where the landscape would be blighted by the appearance of many vehicles. Not all in one area – spread out our quota across the district in order to avoid another Crays Farm scenario.

Q23. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best ensure that we meet our employment and skills needs through the plan? [Please state reasoning]
A: The council needs to stop developing existing commercial land into housing. Too many sites have already been lost and many more are planned to go. They can then concentrate on helping those businesses wanting to expand to be able to do so. They should look to working with local schools and colleges, as well as businesses and the job centre, to see what sustainable employment is needed in the district. They then need to assist in schemes to train all ages get back into work or upskill.
Q24. With reference to Figure 30, do you consider the current employment site allocations to provide enough space to meet the District’s employment needs through to 2040? Should we seek to formally protect any informal employment sites for commercial uses, including those in the Green Belt? [Please state reasoning]
A: No. The current employment site allocations on Figure 30 do not provide enough space to meet the District’s employment needs through to 2040. We have around 87,000 people in the district. There is no data on the form to suggest how many of these are in employment and how many are looking for work but the council need to reassess its future needs in order to future-proof our residents’ opportunities. We only need to formally protect sites that have a future and a potential to expand or continue effectively. Green belt sites should be assessed separately and decisions made on merit.
Q25. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new employment facilities or improvements to existing employment facilities?
A: Option 3 could deliver new opportunities for employment as it would be a new site completely. Industrial units of various sizes, with room for expansion plus retail, hospitality and other employment could be included in the criteria for the development. Option 4 could assess existing sites across the district and the options to be able to expand, as well as areas for new sites.
Q26. Are there any particular types of employment site or business accommodation that you consider Rochford District is lacking, or would benefit from?
A: Environmental services - woodland conservation/management. (We need to find funding for this as it is important!) HGV training school.
Q27. Are there other measures we can take through the plan to lay the foundations for long-term economic growth, e.g. skills or connectivity?
A: Better road networks and Wi-Fi. Apprenticeships or training for all ages with jobs at the end of training.
Q28. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best manage the Airport’s adaptations and growth through the planning system? [Please state reasoning]
A: Unsure, but I feel there is not enough room for too much expansion ie. add another run way. The council could consider a park and ride park, to divert some traffic away from the residential area, which could create jobs for security services, bus drivers, attendants, cleaners, etc. Expansion of the airport may affect the Grade 1 listed St Laurence and All Saints Church and this needs careful consideration.
Q29. Do you agree that the plan should designate and protect areas of land of locally important wildlife value as a local wildlife site, having regard to the Local Wildlife Sites review? Are there any other sites that you feel are worthy of protection? [Please state reasoning]
A: We all should be doing everything in our power to protect wildlife sites. All wildlife is important and we have been neglecting them, and slowly chipping away at them for years. Wildlife now enter suburban areas as their own habitats have diminished and they can no longer fend for themselves adequately from nature. We have a decline in Badgers and hedgehogs as well as rabbits, frogs, newts, voles and shrews. Ask yourselves: when did you last see a live hedgehog or badger? Most (especially badgers) are usually dead (along with foxes and deer) by the side of our roads. We have removed places that have housed bats and now we do not see them flying around the district in the numbers they did. Designating initial sites is a step in the right direction but we have to do more. It is proven that our mental health issues can be relieved by nature and keeping the sites sacred is more important now than it ever was. Keeping a biodiverse environment, with wildlife and the environment in which it relies is paramount. You mention that Doggett Pond no longer meets the standard but are there no steps to improve its status instead of dismissing it? It is obviously an important site for the wildlife in that area. To lose it would be to our detriment. We should be looking at creating new sites with every large housing development, and adding them to our protected list in order to improve our district and our own wellbeing. We should no allow private households to take over grass areas and verges (or concreting the verges over for parking and cost savings). These areas, although small are still areas for wildlife (bees and butterflies - also in decline, as well as bugs which feed our birds). We should create new wildlife meadows to encourage the pollinators in order to future proof our own existence. We should be exploring smaller sites that we could enhance, manage and protect in order to give future generations something to look back on and feel proud that we have given them a legacy. Something that we can be proud of.
Q30. Do you agree that the plan should designate and protect areas of land of locally important geological value as a local geological site, having regard to the Local Wildlife Sites review? Are there any other sites that you feel are worthy of protection? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. We need to protect them for future generations and teach our children their history and importance so that they can continue to keep them safe.
Q31. Do you consider net gains for biodiversity are best delivered on-site or off-site? Are there specific locations or projects where net gain projects could be delivered?
A: On site. You can then assess in real time and sort out any issues you would not have known about off site.
Q32. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best deliver a quality green and blue infrastructure network through the plan? [Please state reasoning]
A: You need to enhance and maintain what we already have by ensuring the necessary links are in place to link as many as possible, and ensuring that public rights of way are not blocked by land owners and are kept free from debris. You also need to assess some paths to make them accessible to the disabled so that all is inclusive. There are some green areas that do not have public facilities and it would be advantageous to look into offering this in the larger spaces (ie in the car park – a small toilet block and hand washing facilities). Obtaining funding from large (and medium) developments for enhancement of existing areas as well as providing new spaces and facilities is a step in the right direction.
Q33. Do you agree that the central woodlands arc and island wetlands, shown on Figure 32 are the most appropriate areas for new regional parklands? Are there any other areas that should be considered or preferred? [Please state reasoning]
A: They are a step in the right direction but you need to assess periodically in order to be able to add further links to any new parkland that may be created in the future. The map is unclear as it does not show exact routes. There is a large open space to the South West of Rayleigh (on the border), South of Bardfield Way and The Grange/Wheatley Wood, which could be enhanced.
Q34. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to help deliver new strategic green and blue infrastructure? [Please state reasoning]
A: Enhancing the areas we have and ensuring developers include green space/recreational facility areas within their developments. A new, separate development would be able to deliver this within their plan layout. Ensuring there are suitable links, access and footpaths. Making sure some of these footpaths are accessible for the disabled.

Q35. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how can we address the need for sufficient and accessible community infrastructure through the plan? [Please state reasoning]
A: Ensuring that funding for existing facilities comes from new developments and making sure that these facilities are built during the time of the development (not like the London Road/Rawreth Lane development where a site was “provided” for healthcare but has not been built). Assess the shortfall of facilities and networks before plans are approved so that adequate planning and funding can be secured before any building takes place.
Q36. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new or improved community infrastructure? [Please state reasoning]
A: A new town would have this infrastructure built into its plans. Funding for improvements must otherwise come from developers if an area is already overpopulated.
Q37. Are there areas in the District that you feel have particularly severe capacity or access issues relating to community infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities or community facilities? How can we best address these? [Please state reasoning]
A: Rayleigh is overcrowded. It has a road network no longer fit for purpose. The schools are almost full. It is difficult to obtain a GP or dental appointment. There is little to no disabled play areas/equipment. There is always issues with waste collections, drain & road cleaning and verge trimming. The council does not have the staff to deal with all these issues. The council needs to either build another waste recycling site (as the one in Castle road is no longer capable of expanding and meeting the needs of its ever growing population) or develop a better waste collection program which allows extra waste to be collected next to bins. It also needs to find a site to address/install commercial waste facilities to stop fly tipping.
Q38. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best meet our open space and sport facility needs through the plan? [Please state reasoning]
A: Improve what we already have. The tennis courts on Fairview Park need improvement. Safeguard our open spaces to ensure we have wildlife and recreation. Develop different types of sporting facilities – not just football pitches. There is a need for a larger skateboard park and BMX track. We need to offer free recreation for our teenagers.
Q39. Are the potential locations for 3G pitch investment the right ones? Are there other locations that we should be considering? [Please state reasoning]
A: The development of 3G pitches seems to be the trendy thing to do but they are plastic grass at the end of the day and we should be looking at ways to reduce our plastic use. If there is an area that already exists that is in a poor start of repair then it may be an option – especially if the “grass” is made from recyclables, but we should be thinking outside the box and not covering our parks with it.
Q40. Are the listed potential hub sites and key centres the right ones? Are there other locations that we should be considering? [Please state reasoning]
A: They look suitable. They will probably need funding.
Q41. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to help deliver improvements to open space or sport facility accessibility or provision?
A: A new development would be able to deliver this in their plans or fund improvements for existing facilities.
Q42. Are there particular open spaces that we should be protecting or improving? [Please note, you will have an opportunity to make specific comments on open spaces and local green spaces in the settlement profiles set out later in this report]
A: The sites will be specific in each parish. You need to protect all of these recreational spaces and improve if necessary as once lost to development, they can ever come back.
Q43. With reference to the options listed in this section, or your own options, how do you feel we can best address heritage issues through the plan? [Please state reasoning]
A: You need to reassess your policies on planning regarding alterations made to the buildings on your list, especially in our conservation areas. There have been a few occasions where buildings of “interest” (or other) have been altered, and that places in conservation areas have been allowed canopies, shutters and internal illumination of signage without challenge. Any building work (if any) needs to be sympathetic to the area and you should be able to request amendments to frontage, even if they have had it up for some time. Shop fronts are huge areas of uninteresting glass with garish colours. Signage and advertising (‘A’ board’s litter our pavements without challenge and large barriers are erected onto the pavements – totally out of character with a conservation area in a heritage town. Stick to your policies.
Q44. Are there areas of the District we should be considering for conservation area status beyond those listed in this section? [Please state reasoning]
A: Unsure although we need to stop taking areas of our precious woodland to make way for housing.
Q45. Are there any buildings, spaces or structures that should be protected for their historic, cultural or architectural significance? Should these be considered for inclusion on the Local List of non-designated assets? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know. Mill Hall? Over 50 years old. Cultural centre in a conservation area. Needs massive investment and management. A new survey needs to be taken to ascertain whether there are any other areas that should be considered. There are many buildings along the High Road into Rayleigh (but not in the conservation area) which should be considered.
Q46. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you think we can best plan for vibrant town centres in Rochford, Rayleigh and Hockley? How can we also ensure our village and neighbourhood centres remain vibrant? [Please state reasoning]
A: You can only have a vibrant town centre if there are shops to go to. If these units are subsequently changed to residential then our town centres will be fractured and uninviting. The new Use Class E will mean it will be even more important for the council to protect our retail outlets. You need to work actively with premises owners in order to assist in the re-letting of any empty shops. Maybe offer a reduced rent to new businesses as a start-up scheme (you could contain this as a “local” business only – allowing the entrepreneurs in the Rochford District a chance to showcase their business). You also need to be able to negotiate with the owners of empty shops how they can best strive to fill these premises and if not, then have some visual displays in the windows (ie. photos of the old towns or useful information) to make them more attractive.
You will need good access links with an excellent road and cycle network and reliable public transport that links effectively from all the villages to all the towns.
Q47. Do you agree with the local centre hierarchy set out in Figure 36? If not, what changes would you make? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes.
Q48. With reference to Figures 38-40, do you agree with existing town centre boundaries and extent of primary and secondary shopping frontages in Rayleigh, Rochford and Hockley? If not, what changes would you make? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes
Q49. Should we continue to restrict appropriate uses within town centres, including primary and secondary shopping frontages within those centres? If yes, what uses should be restricted? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. We do not want rows of hairdresser or rows of takeaways etc. as this would eventually kill off our high streets. We need to have a balance of outlets. You would lose the vibrancy you are hoping to achieve if you allowed this. You should also consider restricting use to giant chains as these tend to be the first to go in a crisis and make high streets lose their individuality by them all looking the same.
Q50. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver improved retail and leisure services in the District? [Please state reasoning]
A: Unfortunately, some of our smaller retail areas have been sold off and housing development has been allowed (eg. Rayleigh - rear of Marks & Spencer and Dairy Crest plus Lancaster Road [builders’ yard]). In a new development there would be scope to add a small/medium/large precinct of retail etc. depending on the development size.
Q51. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best address our transport and connectivity needs through the plan? [Please state reasoning]
A: The council needs to address the “No development before infrastructure” mantra! Too many houses are being built without adequate road networks in place (including walking and cycling routes). A new road could be built from the A1245 to Hullbridge, limiting the traffic on Rawreth Lane. More work need to be done (and quickly) on the A127 and The Carpenters Arms roundabout. The feeder lanes proposed some years ago to link the Fairglen interchange with The Rayleigh Weir in both directions need to be done ASAP as this is a bottleneck. Hockley needs another access although I am unsure how that can be achieved. New developments should put in cycle paths and walkways and they could be made to link up with existing paths (which need updating and attention).
Q52. Are there areas where improvements to transport connections are needed? What could be done to help improve connectivity in these areas?
A: More work need to be done (and quickly) on the A127 and The Carpenters Arms roundabout. The feeder lanes proposed some years ago to link the Fairglen interchange with The Rayleigh Weir in both directions need to be done ASAP as this is a bottleneck. Hockley needs another access.

Q53. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new transport connections, such as link roads or rapid transit? What routes and modes should these take? [Walking, cycling, rail, bus, road etc.]
A: A new road from A1245 to Hullbridge is needed as Watery Lane is too narrow and winding, and is closed on a regular basis due to flooding. More (smaller) buses to link our towns and villages. Trams, although they seem a good idea, would cause congestion on our narrow roads and be unsustainable. Designated cycling paths (not on the roads or pavements) adjacent to our road networks would help improve traffic flow and these would need to be linked to be efficient.
Q54. Do you feel that the plan should identify rural exception sites? If so, where should these be located and what forms of housing or employment do you feel need to be provided? [Please note you may wish to comment on the use of specific areas of land in the next section]
A: Yes, but if they are to be affordable only, then they should be offered to local residents first and not anyone from afar who wants a cheap house or for those with a buy to let mortgage.
Q55. Are there any other ways that you feel the plan should be planning for the needs of rural communities? [Please stare reasoning]
A: Improve public transport.
Q56a. Do you agree with our vision for Rayleigh? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes but you also need to include a reduced volume of traffic and air pollution. The High Street is usually grid locked and this causes dangerous pollution for our pedestrians/shoppers/residents. An active Police presence.
Q56b. With reference to Figure 44 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Rayleigh?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Access and increased congestion is going to be an issue with a lot of the sites in Rayleigh. If you keep adding small developments to the boundaries of the town we will create an overcrowded impacting on the developments already there and an urban sprawl effect. CFS 121 has potential for a new woodland area which could soak up some of the carbon emissions from the A127 traffic.
Q56c. Are there areas in Rayleigh that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: We should be restricting any further large developments in Rayleigh and need to assess the impact of the current developments first.
Q56d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: CSF027 – The access road (Bull Lane) is a known rat run and is extremely busy. Any further traffic, which will also compete with large agricultural vehicles, could be a danger to the residents already there. Bull Lane near this point has also been flooded several times recently. CFS023 – Access to this road is via Wellington Road. It can be extremely difficult, especially at peak times (non-pandemic) to access to and from Hockley Road. Adding a large development here will have an adverse impact on existing residents and car users alike. Also, if these 2 developments are linked to Albert Road, the installation of a through road to Bull Lane will cause issues in parking, access and wellbeing as the road would become another rat run!
Q56e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 44 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance?
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
The green space north of CFS121 could be linked by a new bridge over the railway and create a new habitat for wildlife, with meadows and woodlands, walks and a lake/pond. A car park with facilities could be created and a small retail space could be offered for snacks etc.
Q57a. Do you agree with our vision for Rochford and Ashingdon? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: I feel CFS261 would cause great harm to the area, with a potential of over 4,000 houses on the site. The road network is not sufficient to cope with half that amount of dwellings and new schools would need to be built.
Q57b. With reference to Figure 45 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Rochford and Ashingdon?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Don’t know.
Q57c. Are there areas in Rochford and Ashingdon that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q57d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q57e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 45 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold some significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. These should be protected.

Q58a. Do you agree with our vision for Hockley and Hawkwell? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q58b. With reference to Figure 46 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Hockley and Hawkwell?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Don’t know.
Q58c. Are there areas in Hockley and Hawkwell that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know
Q58d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: As Hockley Woods is the largest remaining wild woodland in the country you should be doing EVERYTHING you can to save it from development, either adjacent to or close by. You should also actively be adding to it by planting more trees to future proof its existence and status.
Q58e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 46 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q59a. Do you agree with our vision for the Wakerings and Barling? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q59b. With reference to Figure 47 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of the Wakerings and Barling?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Don’t know.
Q59c. Are there areas in the Wakerings and Barling that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Any development needs to be sympathetic of the area.
Q59d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q59e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 47 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q60a. Do you agree with our vision for Hullbridge? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes, although you need to address the road networks as well as those you have suggested. A new link road from A1245 to Hullbridge, adjacent to Watery Lane would serve the increased population with an improved access route and divert traffic away from other areas.
Q60b. With reference to Figure 48 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Hullbridge?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Some of the sites have potential to include a mix of shops, leisure, recreation, offices and housing but a study needs to be made to assess the impact of the current development
Q60c. Are there areas in Hullbridge that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q60d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Anything too close to the river due to flood risk.
Q60e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 48 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q61a. Do you agree with our vision for Canewdon? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. A small amount of housing can be sustainable there as long as the community feel it is needed.
Q61b. With reference to Figure 49 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Canewdon?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Opportunities for mixed retail, commercial and housing could be achieved with some sympathetic development in this area.

Q61c. Are there areas in Canewdon that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q61d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q61e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 48 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q62a. Do you agree with our vision for Great Stambridge? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes.
Q62b. With reference to Figure 50 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Great Stambridge?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Any development needs to be sensitive and sympathetic to this small village.
Q62c. Are there areas in Great Stambridge that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q62d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q62e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 50 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q63a. Do you agree with our vision for Rawreth? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q63b. With reference to Figure 51 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Rawreth?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Don’t know.
Q63c. Are there areas in Rawreth that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. Those that border the main roads as this makes easy access.
Q63d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Those that change the dynamics of the village and those areas that border Wickford. There needs to be a significate amount of green belt land left to separate the 2 areas to prevent urban sprawl.
Q63e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 51 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q64a. Do you agree with our vision for Paglesham? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: I think the 30 houses is the maximum you should build to keep this hamlet special. Maybe less. The community should be consulted for their requirements.
Q64b. With reference to Figure 52 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Paglesham?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: The 30 proposed houses should reflect the history of the area and should be modest in size and scale. These does not seem to be scope for any other building project with exception to open space. Any development should be sympathetic to the design and scale of the areas history.
Q64c. Are there areas in Paglesham that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Those proposed seem appropriate subject to local knowledge and support.
Q64d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: No building anywhere where it is liable to flood. No building near the waterfront in order to protect its charm and history.
Q64e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 52 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q65a. Do you agree with our vision for Sutton and Stonebridge? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. These areas should remain low key but have better access to services.
Q65b. With reference to Figure 53 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Sutton and Stonebridge?
i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other
A: Don’t know, but mass development should not go ahead. The potential of building thousands of houses, retail etc would be devastating. If any form of development was to go ahead then this should be in the way of a nature reserve/woodland etc.
Q65c. Are there areas in Sutton and Stonebridge that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Don’t know.
Q65d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]
A: Most of the area unless it is the creation of new woodland, ponds, meadows, etc.
Q65e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 53 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]
A: All green spaces hold significance, especially to those who use them for recreation, and have community value. They should be protected. Green belt borders should be protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Q66. Do you agree that our rural communities do not require individual vision statements? Are there communities that you feel should have their own vision? [Please state reasoning]
A: At this time – yes, but I feel they should have some consideration in the future in order to protect them.
Q67. Do you agree with our vision for our rural communities? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]
A: Yes. Nothing missing I can think of.
Q68. Are there other courses of action the Council could take to improve the completeness of our rural communities?
A: Survey and listen to the residents to see where they would like to go next. See if they require anything specific (travel links, facilities, affordable housing, etc.)

Support

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43022

Received: 10/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Pat Baylis

Representation Summary:

I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause.

Full text:

Spatial Options Consultation - Hullbridge
Firstly, with regard to the Vision Statement for Hullbridge - There was no consultation with our community before this vision was prepared - why was this not done? The vision I have is for Hullbridge to remain a village with an improved public transport system keeping the coastline as it is for residents and visitors to walk along and enjoy the unspoilt views.

I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause.

The infrastructure in Hullbridge is not adequate now, let alone when the new development of, I believe, 500 properties are finally completed from the previous Local Plan! This has caused significant strain on public services, roads etc. Yet the Council have failed to complete transport and sustainable infrastructure assessments prior to this consultation.

Hullbridge is already noticing the effects that increased housing has caused and the development is not even complete! The strain to our primary school (we have no secondary school) and to our medical centre.

The road infrastructure in Hullbridge cannot be improved upon. We have one road that runs through Hullbridge from Rayleigh to Hockley and one road that leads from Lower Road to the river (Ferry Road). These roads cannot be improved upon. It doesn’t take much for the whole village to be gridlocked or cut off if there is a problem. The sinkhole in Hullbridge Road this year is a good example where you could only get out of the village via Hockley causing significant problems not only in Hullbridge but in Hockley and beyond. Similarly, only yesterday, a road accident on Lower Road caused the road to be blocked and when vehicles tried to go through back roads all those roads became totally gridlocked. When the current development is finished we will have a lot more traffic on our one road in and out of the village so more chance of this sort of thing happening more often. Let alone having even more developments in future Local Plans.

A lot of Hullbridge is Green Belt and Coastal Protection Belt. Any further developments would harm these areas and impact on natural habitats.

With regard Critical Flood and drainage risks - Hullbridge will have a significant proportion of the village below sea level by 2040.

Public transport in Hullbridge is not adequate. There is no public transport whatsoever that runs down Lower Road towards Hockley. There is now no school bus that runs in Hullbridge.

On the South side of the village there are no recreation areas and a lack of pavement and crossings, which with the increase in vehicles due to the current development and lack of speed restrictions has made it more dangerous for pedestrians than it was before.

So you can see that Hullbridge hasn’t got adequate infrastructure now so will certainly not be able to cope with any more development and serious consideration must be made to look at alternative options.

Object

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43033

Received: 10/09/2021

Respondent: Lee Streeton

Representation Summary:

We never asked for the country to let in 20 thousand Afghans, or to give Hong Kong 65000 visa incase they want to live here or the illegal coming from France every day, families are moving out of the cities to get away from the crime and the cities are filling up with non British families, you are making this country lose its identity and by using our countryside to build thousands of homes while pretending that climate change is destroying the world, if that's true you should be planting more trees not destroying them to build houses

Rochford, Southend are already seeing a large increase in crime and it continues to get worse, I thought Southend was planning a massive rebuild of the flats around the town so why should every town and villages in the area suffer from thousands of more people

If a party is looking to get back in to power, house building is going to cost you thousands of votes, the way the way the goverment has handled the pandemic and the illegal migrants at the next election they won't get back in but the Labour and the Liberals Parties are no better so local town and villages are going to vote for whoever fights against what I have just wrote.

No more houses if anything more grass land with trees to stop global warming and pollution in our areas.

Full text:

House building
Enough is enough of building houses around Rochford and Ashingdon, we don't have the infrastructure in the area, doctors you ring from 7 am and never get through until late afternoon when all appointments are gone, the road from Ashingdon to Hockley has had holes in the road for ages and could have been fixed before Greensward reopened, I moved out of London to get some peace and quiet, but it takes nearly 30 minutes now just to get to the A127, A13 and longer to get to the A12,

We never asked for the country to let in 20 thousand Afghans, or to give Hong Kong 65000 visa incase they want to live here or the illegal coming from France every day, families are moving out of the cities to get away from the crime and the cities are filling up with non British families, you are making this country lose its identity and by using our countryside to build thousands of homes while pretending that climate change is destroying the world, if that's true you should be planting more trees not destroying them to build houses

Rochford, Southend are already seeing a large increase in crime and it continues to get worse, I thought Southend was planning a massive rebuild of the flats around the town so why should every town and villages in the area suffer from thousands of more people

If a party is looking to get back in to power, house building is going to cost you thousands of votes, the way the way the government has handled the pandemic and the illegal migrants at the next election they won't get back in but the Labour and the Liberals Parties are no better so local town and villages are going to vote for whoever fights against what I have just wrote

No more houses if anything more grass land with trees to stop global warming and pollution in our areas.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43062

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Mr john shepherd

Representation Summary:

I understand that new housing is needed just not at the expense of a unique village like Hullbridge, I would therefore suggest any new housing be built in your strategy option 3 ( west of Rayleigh, north of Southend or east of Rochford ).

Full text:

This mail is in response to your vision statement for Hullbridge, in particular my objections to the proposed housing development sites around Hullbridge.

All land around Hullbridge is Green Belt, this land should be vigorously protected rather than being given up and lost to housing developers. Some land also forms part of the Coastal protection Belt and should be protected at all costs.

There is also an abundance of wildlife in the fields and hedgerows surrounding Hullbridge it is important to conserve their habitats rather than destroy them.

When we moved to Hullbridge our property survey confirmed that Hullbridge was in a critical flood risk area, we live backing onto Cracknell's farm ( one of your proposed development sites ) where over 800 houses are planned, take away open fields and replacing them with houses and roads will drastically reduce the lands ability to absorb surface water increasing the risk of flooding.

There would be a loss of public footpaths and bridleways, these routes are very well used for horse riders, dog walkers and for exercise, by residents and visitors alike. Would you rather take your exercise walking the footpaths through open countryside or pounding the pavements of a new housing development , I know what option I would choose.

Transport links to Hullbridge are poor, access is along small B roads or even smaller and narrower unclassified roads, congested at the best of times, the extra traffic any new developments would bring would only make our already congested roads worse. Our one school and medical centre would struggle to cope with the amount of people these proposed developments would bring.

Hullbridge is a unique rural coastal village made up of traditional housing, mobile home sites, council maintained roads and private roads and should be preserved as such.

I understand that new housing is needed just not at the expense of a unique village like Hullbridge, I would therefore suggest any new housing be built in your strategy option 3 ( west of Rayleigh, north of Southend or east of Rochford ).

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43094

Received: 12/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Susan Trotman

Representation Summary:

think much of Rochford is losing it’s character and attractiveness and more development without greater thought together with the loss of amenities will further diminish the area.
Roads and Public Transport.
Roads are very narrow and congested and as one delivery driver told me several years ago, the area will become a ‘no go’ area eventually. Cars are frequently parked on the pavement making it impossible for pedestrians and mobility scooter users to negotiate. The volume of traffic at school opening and closing times is amazing. If public transport was improved and perhaps school buses introduced this might alleviate the congestion. There is only one bus an hour to the main City of Chelmsford, which was intended for travellers to Stanstead who have priority, leaving those who need to travel there for other reasons behind on occasions. Train travel is prohibitively expensive for many. More housing will greatly add to the traffic congestion problem and emissions without improved facilities.
Infrastructure must be put in place BEFORE further development takes place, not after as is so often the case, causing chaos for local people.

It was reported that Rochford and Castle Point have the longest hospital waiting times in the country. Southend Hospital could not cope before Covid so more development would increase the pressure and I feel sure people would die waiting for appointments.

I feel that a village development with appropriate facilities and jobs would be the best solution. With global warming it is essential to preserve our green spaces and reduce travel and emissions.
Time constraints prevent me from continuing but closing existing, well used facilities (the Mill Hall) and expanding on green sites is going to make life more difficult for the people of Rochford and the planet, in my opinion.

Full text:

I think much of Rochford is losing it’s character and attractiveness and more development without greater thought together with the loss of amenities will further diminish the area.
Roads and Public Transport.
Roads are very narrow and congested and as one delivery driver told me several years ago, the area will become a ‘no go’ area eventually. Cars are frequently parked on the pavement making it impossible for pedestrians and mobility scooter users to negotiate. The volume of traffic at school opening and closing times is amazing. If public transport was improved and perhaps school buses introduced this might alleviate the congestion. There is only one bus an hour to the main City of Chelmsford, which was intended for travellers to Stanstead who have priority, leaving those who need to travel there for other reasons behind on occasions. Train travel is prohibitively expensive for many. More housing will greatly add to the traffic congestion problem and emissions without improved facilities.
Infrastructure must be put in place BEFORE further development takes place, not after as is so often the case, causing chaos for local people.

It was reported that Rochford and Castle Point have the longest hospital waiting times in the country. Southend Hospital could not cope before Covid so more development would increase the pressure and I feel sure people would die waiting for appointments.

I feel that a village development with appropriate facilities and jobs would be the best solution. With global warming it is essential to preserve our green spaces and reduce travel and emissions.
Time constraints prevent me from continuing but closing existing, well used facilities (the Mill Hall) and expanding on green sites is going to make life more difficult for the people of Rochford and the planet, in my opinion.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43097

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Chelmsford City Council

Representation Summary:

In regard to the four strategy options, CCC notes that Option 1 is the minimum expectation of national policy and is likely to be required within every strategy option, making the best possible use of our existing planned developments, previously developed (brownfield) land
and other under-utilised land.

Options 2 and 3 review different scales of growth with a number of smaller urban extensions (Option 2) and concentrating growth in particular one or two larger growth locations (Option 3). Option 4 is presented as being a mix of all 3 options based on the most appropriate balance to meet development needs.

From a City Council perspective, CCC would only support an option which accommodates all of Rochford’s growth needs in full for homes, employment and infrastructure ideally with an appropriate buffer for delivery flexibility whilst protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment. As stated above, the options should be explored in detail. Areas of Chelmsford with the relevant relationship to Rochford also fall within the Green Belt, therefore Rochford should be coordinating with their own housing marking area to fully
assess the options.

CCC welcomes the recognition of adjoining districts own growth needs, and that there is some relationship with Chelmsford for employment and other facilities (such as hospitals and retail). CCC notes that the South Woodham Ferrers has been suggested to be similar in size and role to other Tier 2 settlements within Rochford.

Significant growth is proposed is South Woodham Ferrers in Chelmsford City Council’s own Local Plan in proximity to Rochford District. Growth in Rochford District should not have adverse impacts on planned growth in South Woodham Ferrers by placing additional pressure on existing and proposed facilities, including education.

CCC concurs with the spatial themes presented in the spatial options document.

CCC will continue to work with Rochford District Council on cross-boundary issues and engage with the Local Plan preparation.

Full text:

CCC Response to Rochford Spatial Options Document 2021

Part 1 - Background and Context to the consultation

Chelmsford City Council (CCC) welcomes the opportunity to comment on Rochford District Council’s Spatial Options document 2021 to help influence the emerging plan and monitor the key cross-boundary and strategic issues that affect CCC's administrative area.
The Spatial Options document is a consultation paper that forms the latest stage in the production of Rochford District Council’s new Local Plan. It follows on from the Issues and Options consultation carried out in late 2017/18.

The new Local Plan will cover the period up to 2040.

The Spatial Options document sets out the key spatial issues and puts forward four strategy options:
1. Urban Intensification
2. Urban Extensions
3. Concentrated Growth
4. Balanced Combination

The document also reviews specific issues that have emerged since the last consultations, from new evidence or changes introduced by national policy.

The Spatial Options document does not recommend a particular course of action but seeks feedback on a range of different options. Further work and consultation will be required on the new Local Plan as it progresses.

Part 2 – Consultation Response

The document sets out a number of strategic priorities and objectives that Rochford District Council (RDC) consider will help deliver its new Local Plan.

Strategic Priority 1 addresses meeting the need for homes and jobs in the area, with strategic objective 1 addressing housing delivery which is to be achieved by working with neighbours in the South Essex and prioritising the use of previously developed land first.
The Plan outlines that 7,200-10,800 new homes of different sizes and tenures, will be needed to meet growth needs.

It is noted that the Local Housing Need methodology calculates a need of 360 homes per annum for Rochford District. Over the 20 years plan period this equates to 7,200 homes. The Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) 2020 identifies a supply of over 4,300 homes that are already planned for, including existing allocations, sites with planning permission and an allowance for windfall development of around 45 homes a year.

It is also noted that using the standard methodology plus a 50% buffer, would require 10,800 new homes by 2040. It is noted that different growth scenarios are being reviewed to inform the four strategy options.

The City Council is clear that Rochford District Council should meet its own local housing need in full. The City Council has received a formal letter from Rochford with regard to capacity for accommodating additional development needs and will be responding accordingly.

The Spatial Options document also states that the Economic Development Needs Assessment (EDNA) identified a potential need for up to 7 hectares of employment land by 2036, which rises to 16 hectares when making an allowance for changes and windfall.
Rochford District Council should seek to meet employment and retail needs of the district in full over the next 20 years.

It is noted that a Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment has been undertaken which identifies a need in Rochford for 18 additional pitches for travellers known to meet the planning definition of a traveller, 1 additional pitch for
unknown travellers and up to 11 additional pitches for those that fall outside the planning definition and there was no requirement for additional travelling showpeople plots. Previously this was thought to be covered by a current allocated site, however this is no longer being
delivered as expected. CCC expects that Rochford must meet this need in full over the plan period.

On transit sites, CCC acknowledges the Essex-wide GTAA’s recommendations to engage, through the Duty to Cooperate, with other Essex authorities in the future to review the need for transit sites and notes that the Gypsy and Traveller Transit Site Assessment is now under
preparation across Essex.

In regard to the four strategy options, CCC notes that Option 1 is the minimum expectation of national policy and is likely to be required within every strategy option, making the best possible use of our existing planned developments, previously developed (brownfield) land
and other under-utilised land.

Options 2 and 3 review different scales of growth with a number of smaller urban extensions (Option 2) and concentrating growth in particular one or two larger growth locations (Option 3). Option 4 is presented as being a mix of all 3 options based on the most appropriate balance to meet development needs.

From a City Council perspective, CCC would only support an option which accommodates all of Rochford’s growth needs in full for homes, employment and infrastructure ideally with an appropriate buffer for delivery flexibility whilst protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment. As stated above, the options should be explored in detail. Areas of Chelmsford with the relevant relationship to Rochford also fall within the Green Belt, therefore Rochford should be coordinating with their own housing marking area to fully
assess the options.

CCC welcomes the recognition of adjoining districts own growth needs, and that there is some relationship with Chelmsford for employment and other facilities (such as hospitals and retail). CCC notes that the South Woodham Ferrers has been suggested to be similar in size and role to other Tier 2 settlements within Rochford.

Significant growth is proposed is South Woodham Ferrers in Chelmsford City Council’s own Local Plan in proximity to Rochford District. Growth in Rochford District should not have adverse impacts on planned growth in South Woodham Ferrers by placing additional pressure on existing and proposed facilities, including education.

CCC concurs with the spatial themes presented in the spatial options document.

CCC will continue to work with Rochford District Council on cross-boundary issues and engage with the Local Plan preparation.

Statement of Community Involvement Consultation Response

Thank you for also consulting Chelmsford City Council (CCC) on the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) 2021 Review.

CCC considers that the SCI review is generally clear and comprehensive. The SCI explains how the Council will involve the community and stakeholders in the planning process and the consultation methods proposed are supported by CCC.

CCC notes the recognition that as part of the statutory Duty to Cooperate, neighbouring councils and other relevant organisations must work together on strategic cross boundary issues.

Chelmsford City Council will continue to actively engage with Rochford District Council on each other’s respective Local Plans.

Integrated Impact Assessment of the Spatial Options Document

Thank you for also consulting Chelmsford City Council (CCC) on the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA).

It is noted that the IIA fulfils the requirements and duties for the Sustainability Appraisal (SA), Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA), Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) and Health Impact Assessment (HIA).

CCC is supportive of the proposed topic headings for the assessment and has no further comments to make at this stage.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43100

Received: 12/09/2021

Respondent: Frances Wilson

Representation Summary:

I feel that since moving to Rochford in 2011 the area has massively gone down hill and by adding even more houses to the area would make it much worse. I think it will risk pushing out current home owners in this area and it would not be the semi-rural location they chose to live in.

Full text:

Ashingdon
I am emailing regarding CFS216 & CFS133.

I do not agree with the proposed building on the above two sites.

My daughter attends Ashingdon school, and we often walk on what is already an too small and quite unsafe pathway on an already busy road. Building in excess of 300 new homes on this site would be detrimental to the area.

It is a lovely rural area which if you plan to also build on the site located near to Clements hall would remove so much green space in the local area.

It would make an already busy road (Ashingdon road down Ashingdon hill towards Fambridge Road) even busier.

I feel that since moving to Rochford in 2011 the area has massively gone down hill and by adding even more houses to the area would make it much worse. I think it will risk pushing out current home owners in this area and it would not be the semi-rural location they chose to live in.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43102

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Daniel Baylis

Representation Summary:

I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause.

Full text:

I write in response to the above.

Firstly, with regard to the Vision Statement for Hullbridge - There was no consultation with our community before this vision was prepared - why was this not done? The vision I have is for Hullbridge to remain a village with an improved public transport system keeping the coastline as it is for residents and visitors to walk along and enjoy the unspoilt views.

I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause.

The infrastructure in Hullbridge is not adequate now, let alone when the new development of, I believe, 500 properties are finally completed from the previous Local Plan! This has caused significant strain on public services, roads etc. Yet the Council have failed to complete transport and sustainable infrastructure assessments prior to this consultation.

Hullbridge is already noticing the effects that increased housing has caused and the development is not even complete! The strain to our primary school (we have no secondary school) and to our medical centre.

The road infrastructure in Hullbridge cannot be improved upon. We have one road that runs through Hullbridge from Rayleigh to Hockley and one road that leads from Lower Road to the river (Ferry Road). These roads cannot be improved upon. It doesn’t take much for the whole village to be gridlocked or cut off if there is a problem. The sinkhole in Hullbridge Road this year is a good example where you could only get out of the village via Hockley causing significant problems not only in Hullbridge but in Hockley and beyond. Similarly, only yesterday, a road accident on Lower Road caused the road to be blocked and when vehicles tried to go through back roads all those roads became totally gridlocked. When the current development is finished we will have a lot more traffic on our one road in and out of the village so more chance of this sort of thing happening more often. Let alone having even more developments in future Local Plans.

A lot of Hullbridge is Green Belt and Coastal Protection Belt. Any further developments would harm these areas and impact on natural habitats.

With regard Critical Flood and drainage risks - Hullbridge will have a significant proportion of the village below sea level by 2040.

Public transport in Hullbridge is not adequate. There is no public transport whatsoever that runs down Lower Road towards Hockley. There is now no school bus that runs in Hullbridge.

On the South side of the village there are no recreation areas and a lack of pavement and crossings, which with the increase in vehicles due to the current development and lack of speed restrictions has made it more dangerous for pedestrians than it was before.

So you can see that Hullbridge hasn’t got adequate infrastructure now so will certainly not be able to cope with any more development and serious consideration must be made to look at alternative options.

Object

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43109

Received: 12/09/2021

Respondent: Richard & Kim Winter

Number of people: 2

Representation Summary:

A great deal of the proposed building land appears to be farmland. If we continue to build on this how are we going to feed the increasing population? There are no new road proposals for all of this potential building work so our already clogged roads will become impassable. 40,000 vehicles per day will be trying to gain access to the main road in and out of Rayleigh, Hockley, Ashingdon and Rochford. This will increase the already high levels of polution especially outside of schools. People will increasingly have further to travel for the above mentioned services which will also put pressure on the surrounding roads.

The newly built housing estate at the lower end of Hullbridge and Hall Road Rochford have increased the pressure on all services and nothing has been done to eleviate this. What do you propose to do for these builds which were pushed onto the local residents without thought for the infrastructure and services required to accommodate the new population?

Hockley prides itself on its village status, green belt and farmland surroundings which makes it a desirable place to live. This proposed over exagerated building works will detromentally affect the ambiance of the area. It will no longer have any lungs and therefore will become a suburb of greater London!
National Government and Local Councils cannot continue to decimate every spare piece of green belt, farm land and open space. The pandemic has shown the increasing need for open space for peoples well being and mental health, nothwithstanding the need to produce food.

With this local proposed expansion, we will be interested to hear how you intend to ensure the increased population are properly educated, their health and mental health cared for, how open spaces, which proved to be invaluable during lockdown, will be protected, and the road infrastructure improvements that will be required to keep everything moving and everyone safe.

Full text:

Spatial Option Concerns
We are writing to you to raise our concerns over the various proposed sites for the Rochford District to 2040.

Having attended the various local outdoor drop-by sessions we understand these are proposals that have been put forward by landowners for consideration. The proposed sites that you have displayed in your Spatial Options Map highlight approximately 20,000 new, additional dwellings within a one mile radius of Hockley Town Centre.

On speaking to your council representatives, we were informed that the government quota for the Rochford District is 350 new dwellings per year. Therefore, this should only equate to 7,000 new dwellings over that 20 year period not 20,000!

While it is not prudent for us to go through every proposed site, the ones in question listed below are the ones that will directly affect the area we live in.
We live in Branksome Avenue and from your Spatial Options Map approximately 700 dwellings are being proposed to exit onto Greensward Lane. The proposed sites are:
COL 38 = ?
CFS 023 = 139
CFS 199 = 50
CFS 204 = 14
CFS 206 = 9
CFS 201 = 27
CFS 197 = 18
CFS 198 = 54
CFS 236 = 10
CFS 039 = 7
CFS 263 = 180
CFS 259 = 121
CFS 024 = 39
CFS 156 = 18
GF 01 = 13

The majority of the proposed dwellings for this area border metropolitan green belt. The disruption will cause untold damage both short and long term to the wildlife that live in these areas. Where is the wildlife to go whilst the building disruption is taking place? Notwithstanding the increase in traffic onto Greensward Lane which is already congested and used by buses, large delivery lorries and parents dropping off children at Greensward Academy. The condition of the road is already a disgrace and has been for the last several years. Only remedial repair work is ever undertaken, with pot holes reforming after a few days of heavy wear and tear and weather. For the vast amount of cyclist and horse riders in the area (we are not among them) this increase in traffic will mean they can no longer pursue their activities as it will be far too dangerous. There is not enough space on Greensward Lane to accommodate the existing traffic let alone a cycle/horse riding lane.

These 700 new dwellings as listed above will potentially generate 1400 extra vehicles, 1400 adults and 3,360 children. Where are the spaces in the local hospitals, doctors' surgeries, dentist surgeries and schools going to come from? There appears to be no new hospitals or schools in your proposed plan. Nor do there appear to be any suggestion of extra doctor and dentist surgeries. We are already at capacity for these services. Where are the new road layouts to accommodate this increase in traffic?

The proposed 20,000 new dwellings in the one mile radius of Hockley Town Centre will significantly impact the surrounding area. The area shown on the map is already gridlocked and with these proposed new builds will bring the area to a standstill. People will not be able to gain access to the local NHS services nor educational services both of which are already under immense pressure from the current population. This again could potentially increase the local population by 40,000 adults, 40,000 vehicles and 48,000 children.

A great deal of the proposed building land appears to be farmland. If we continue to build on this how are we going to feed the increasing population? There are no new road proposals for all of this potential building work so our already clogged roads will become impassable. 40,000 vehicles per day will be trying to gain access to the main road in and out of Rayleigh, Hockley, Ashingdon and Rochford. This will increase the already high levels of pollution especially outside of schools. People will increasingly have further to travel for the above mentioned services which will also put pressure on the surrounding roads.

The newly built housing estate at the lower end of Hullbridge and Hall Road Rochford have increased the pressure on all services and nothing has been done to alleviate this. What do you propose to do for these builds which were pushed onto the local residents without thought for the infrastructure and services required to accommodate the new population?

Hockley prides itself on its village status, green belt and farmland surroundings which makes it a desirable place to live. This proposed over exaggerated building works will detrimentally affect the ambiance of the area. It will no longer have any lungs and therefore will become a suburb of greater London!
National Government and Local Councils cannot continue to decimate every spare piece of green belt, farm land and open space. The pandemic has shown the increasing need for open space for peoples well being and mental health, notwithstanding the need to produce food.

With this local proposed expansion, we will be interested to hear how you intend to ensure the increased population are properly educated, their health and mental health cared for, how open spaces, which proved to be invaluable during lockdown, will be protected, and the road infrastructure improvements that will be required to keep everything moving and everyone safe.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43128

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Robert Baylis

Representation Summary:

>> I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause.

Full text:

>> I write in response to the above.
>>
>> Firstly, with regard to the Vision Statement for Hullbridge - There was no consultation with our community before this vision was prepared - why was this not done? The vision I have is for Hullbridge to remain a village with an improved public transport system keeping the coastline as it is for residents and visitors to walk along and enjoy the unspoilt views.
>>
>> I believe the most appropriate option of the 4 options RDC have suggested for the new local plan is to build all housing in one location whereby the infrastructure can be built to meet the requirements needed for these new developments. Looking at the map it would seem North of Southend appears to have far more land. This would be far more sensible than to start adding bits onto existing towns/villages and then having to add appropriate infrastructure with all the disruption, noise and pollution this would cause.
>>
>> The infrastructure in Hullbridge is not adequate now, let alone when the new development of, I believe, 500 properties are finally completed from the previous Local Plan! This has caused significant strain on public services, roads etc. Yet the Council have failed to complete transport and sustainable infrastructure assessments prior to this consultation.
>>
>> Hullbridge is already noticing the effects that increased housing has caused and the development is not even complete! The strain to our primary school (we have no secondary school) and to our medical centre.
>>
>> The road infrastructure in Hullbridge cannot be improved upon. We have one road that runs through Hullbridge from Rayleigh to Hockley and one road that leads from Lower Road to the river (Ferry Road). These roads cannot be improved upon. It doesn’t take much for the whole village to be gridlocked or cut off if there is a problem. The sinkhole in Hullbridge Road this year is a good example where you could only get out of the village via Hockley causing significant problems not only in Hullbridge but in Hockley and beyond. Similarly, only yesterday, a road accident on Lower Road caused the road to be blocked and when vehicles tried to go through back roads all those roads became totally gridlocked. When the current development is finished we will have a lot more traffic on our one road in and out of the village so more chance of this sort of thing happening more often. Let alone having even more developments in future Local Plans.
>>
>> A lot of Hullbridge is Green Belt and Coastal Protection Belt. Any further developments would harm these areas and impact on natural habitats.
>>
>> With regard Critical Flood and drainage risks - Hullbridge will have a significant proportion of the village below sea level by 2040.
>>
>> Public transport in Hullbridge is not adequate. There is no public transport whatsoever that runs down Lower Road towards Hockley. There is now no school bus that runs in Hullbridge.
>>
>> On the South side of the village there are no recreation areas and a lack of pavement and crossings, which with the increase in vehicles due to the current development and lack of speed restrictions has made it more dangerous for pedestrians than it was before.
>>
>> So you can see that Hullbridge hasn’t got adequate infrastructure now so will certainly not be able to cope with any more development and serious consideration must be made to look at alternative options.
>>

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43140

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Hullbridge Parish Council

Representation Summary:

It seems that some elements of option 1 and 3 will be required but given the requirement to build more homes the least disruptive option preferred by Hullbridge Parish Council would be to go for option 3a. Option 3a has the advantage of being close to the existing road hubs (A127 and A130) and services, and would be of a sufficient scale to attract section 106 funding for vital infrastructure. 3a would also be close to employment opportunities in Wickford and Basildon.

Option 3b would create considerable pressure on the existing road network and would erode the green belt separation of Southend and Rochford.

Option 3c would place development within the flood risk area and not be sustainable without the need for major road building that would open up the green belt to considerable development in the Crouch Valley.

The building of a major bypass road (as promoted by landowners in the past) to deal with congestion caused by 3b and 3c would destroy the green environment of Rochford and generate further development within the green belt. Development in the villages should be small scale and focussed on providing homes for young families and the elderly.

Small ‘exception’ housing developments added to the village settlements could provide council housing, sheltered housing and bungalows to meet the needs of low-income young families and the elderly. Such provision for the elderly could free up existing houses for younger residents and families to purchase.

Full text:

RDC/Spatial Consultation 2021 Questions. Hullbridge Parish Council official response/answers. 14th September 2021.

Q1. Are there any other technical evidence studies that you feel the Council needs to prepare to inform its new Local Plan, other than those listed in this section?

Hullbridge Parish Council feels strongly that a local highways study needs to take place. The document only refers to a study of the main roads in the south Essex infrastructure position statement. This states in 4.2.4 that much of the main road network which leads to our district is operating at, or near, capacity in peak periods.

We cannot understand why Rochford District Council would base its planning upon the 2025 flood risk area when developments could reasonably be expected to be in place for more than 100+ years. All evidence from the IPCC and other scientific institutions demonstrate that global sea level rise is a real and presently accelerating threat. In addition, the British Geological survey shows that the Eurasian tectonic plate is tilting along an axis between the Wash and the Bristol Channel, this means
that Essex is sinking at a rate of 0.4 to 0.7mm per year (ref. research carried out at Durham University and published in the Journal ‘GSA Today’). These projections are not the worst-case scenario, and the sea level rise could be much worse if climate change continues raising
temperatures beyond 1.5 degrees centigrade.

The map generated by Coastal Climate Central for 2050 shows that all of the promoted sites to the west of Hullbridge will be in the flood risk area, and that those to the North East of Hullbridge are also in the flood risk area. Rochford District Council needs to ensure that no site at risk of flooding by 2050 is developed.

The Coastal Climate Central 2050 map shows large part of Rochford including Hullbridge below flood
levels:
https://coastal.climatecentral.org/map/15/0.6252/51.6246/?theme=sea_level_rise&map_ type=year&basemap=roadmap&contiguous=true&elevation_model=best_available&fo recast_year=2050&pathway=rcp45&percentile=p50&refresh=true&return_level=return_
level_1&slr_model=kopp_2014

Q2. Do you agree with our draft vision for Rochford District?

Hullbridge Parish Council believes that the vison should take into consideration the differences in towns and villages; for example, Rayleigh or Rochford may have a more business focus, whereas Hullbridge may be more of a rural community with a greater need to cater for its older population who do not need employment but do need more health services. In principle, the results of this
consultation need to feed into it to make specific plans for each settlement.

Q3. Do you agree that we should develop a range of separate visions for each of our settlements to help guide decision-making?

Hullbridge Parish Council agrees that there should be separate visions for each settlement, however, these should be determined by each Parish Council working with residents - this is the appropriate level of localisation. Whilst agreeing with the principle of the localisation approach, it is not visible in the document as a whole. As we have already covered, there should be separate visons for each settlement. In this way it will support planning decisions at a local and district level to ensure the unique character of each distinct settlement remains rather than developing into one indistinct mass.

Q4. Do you agree with the strategic priorities and objectives we have identified?

Strategic Option 2 fails to address the problem of the aging population within the district. This is in large part due to the failure to provide adequate low rent social housing to enable young people to remain in the district and to develop stable family units. The failure of Housing Associations to meet this need is well documented nationally, and locally the largest Housing Association (Sanctuary) has a poor record of maintaining properties and honouring contractual promises made when the council’s housing stock transferred. The strategy should provide council housing (preferably directly managed) with genuinely affordable rents and secure tenancies in small local exception sites. There also needs to be provision within these sites for social housing accommodation for elderly residents.

With regard to objective 12 we are concerned that Rayleigh tip has been put forward for development.
If so there still needs to be a site for waste disposal close to Rayleigh. The restrictions on vans needs to be lifted to prevent fly tipping.

We believe that sufficient primary school places should be provided within local communities, and steps should be taken to minimise the use of cars to transport children to schools; we are concerned that this is currently not the case.

Q5. Do you agree with the settlement hierarchy presented?

Yes, the hierarchy seems logical. We feel the strategy should take into account that many more people are working from home, reducing the need to commute to employment centres.

Q6. Which of the identified strategy options do you consider should be taken forward in the Plan?

It seems that some elements of option 1 and 3 will be required but given the requirement to build more homes the least disruptive option preferred by Hullbridge Parish Council would be to go for option 3a. Option 3a has the advantage of being close to the existing road hubs (A127 and A130) and services, and would be of a sufficient scale to attract section 106 funding for vital infrastructure. 3a would also be close to employment opportunities in Wickford and Basildon.

Option 3b would create considerable pressure on the existing road network and would erode the green belt separation of Southend and Rochford.

Option 3c would place development within the flood risk area and not be sustainable without the need for major road building that would open up the green belt to considerable development in the Crouch Valley.

The building of a major bypass road (as promoted by landowners in the past) to deal with congestion caused by 3b and 3c would destroy the green environment of Rochford and generate further development within the green belt. Development in the villages should be small scale and focussed on providing homes for young families and the elderly.

Small ‘exception’ housing developments added to the village settlements could provide council housing, sheltered housing and bungalows to meet the needs of low-income young families and the elderly. Such provision for the elderly could free up existing houses for younger residents and families to purchase.

Q7. Are there any reasonable alternatives to these options that should be considered instead?

Using option 3a as a starting point, other areas could be developed in future using option 1 when the
infrastructure is planned and/or in place.

Restrict overdevelopment in rural and village communities to protect the character of village life.

Q8. Are there any key spatial themes that you feel we have missed or that require greater emphasis?

We are concerned about the fact that access was denied to the topic papers, and wholeheartedly believe that the existing lifestyle of the area should be protected from overdevelopment.

Q9. Do you agree we should take a sequential approach to flood risk and coastal change in our plan, locating development away from areas at risk of flooding and
coastal change wherever possible? How can we best protect current and future communities from flood risk and coastal change?

We agree that it is imperative that both flood risk and coastal change should be central to any development plans going forward; for us in Hullbridge, many of the proposed sites to the west of the existing settlement are projected to be deep within flooding territory by 2050, as are numerous ones in the east as well. With 2050 now less than three decades away, and no sign of any imminent alteration in the path of climate change, development in any of the areas identified to be in potential flood plains today and in the near future must not be considered.

Q10. Do you agree that the Coastal Protection Belt and Upper Roach Valley should be protected from development that would be harmful to their landscape character? Are there other areas that you feel should be protected for their special landscape character?

The main concern that we have about the Coastal Protection Belt is that it only extends up until 2025
– other areas would need to be included past this date because, as we have mentioned previously, the flood plains across the Rochford district will be vastly different by 2050. It is our view that any and all housing developments proposed in flood plains, current and near future, must not be approved and those that are approved should be given the assurance of protection from flooding over the coming decades. Closer to home, we believe that the river front in Hullbridge should equally be protected for its special landscape character. We would also like to make it known we are very supportive and enthusiastic about the Central Woodlands Arc and the Island Wetland proposals.

Q11. Do you agree we should require development to source a percentage of their energy from low-carbon and renewable sources? Are there other opportunities in the
District to supply low-carbon or renewable energy?

Providing that the development is affordable and deliverable, and the cost is not lumped onto the buyer for many years to come then this is the right decision as the future rests in renewable energy. Suggestions from councillors regarding other opportunities to supply renewable energy ranged from a solar farm in a place that will not impact its surroundings to solar panels and/or wind turbines on Foulness Island.

Q12. Do you agree we should require new development to achieve energy efficiency standards higher than building regulations? What level should these be set at?

Again, this is something that is a fantastic plan providing the brunt of the cost is not rested on the shoulders of the buyer and that these homes are affordable.

Q13. How do you feel the plan can help to support the local generation of low-carbon and renewable energy? Are there locations where you feel energy generation should be supported?

The installation of wind and solar power generators, in locations such as Foulness, would certainly assist in supporting the local generation of low-carbon and renewable energy which is a necessity in the modern day.

Q14. Do you consider that the plan should include a place-making charter that informs relevant policies? Should the same principles apply everywhere in the District, or should different principles apply to different areas?

Yes, these should be settlement specific, to allow for the maintenance of the integrity and specific characteristics of each area, sufficiently detailed to avoid confusion, and widely distributed.

Q15. Are the principles set out in the draft place-making charter the right ones? Are there other principles that should be included?

Yes, provided individual settlements are consulted and these are adhered to.

Q16a. Do you consider that new design guides, codes or masterplans should be created alongside the new Local Plan?

Yes, providing that each individual settlement is at the heart of it and considered as their own entities with their own individual characteristics. It is imperative that certain areas are protected completely, and that any future developers are aware of the identified characteristics of each area.

Q16b. If yes, do you think it is more appropriate to have a single design guide/code for the whole District, or to have design guides/codes/masterplans for individual
settlements or growth areas?

Design guides should be area specific under one singular guide which is inclusive to the whole district –
providing it remains flexible to local conditions.

Q16c. What do you think should be included in design guides/codes/masterplans at the scale you are suggesting?

As long as the character and aesthetic are maintained concurrently with necessary growth, nothing else
needs to be included.

Q17. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best plan to meet our need for different types, sizes and tenures of housing?

Meet the need for different types, sizes and tenures of housing (including Affordable, Social, Council and
Specialist Housing) by requiring a standard non-negotiable mix of housing to be provided on all housing
developments.

Q18. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there areas or sites in Rochford that you feel require a specific approach to housing types, size and tenure?
What is required to meet housing needs in these areas?

There is too much focus currently across the district on the provision of 4/5 bedroom properties. This focus needs to shift towards 2/3 bedroom properties which would benefit more local residents/families in search of their first home. "Affordable" homes should not only be flats/apartments but other property types also.

1/2 bed bungalows (or similar) should be a priority, as with an ageing population, there will be increasing
demand for such properties when elderly residents are looking to downsize. RDC should actively discourage bungalows being converted into larger properties. Additional provision for residential care is also a priority.
These can all be accommodated within Strategy Option 3a.

New homes should meet the standards set out in Parts M4(2) or M4(3) of Building Regulations.

Q19. Are there any other forms of housing that you feel we should be planning for? How can we best plan to meet the need for that form of housing?

Affordable homes and social housing to enable single persons or families buy or rent their own home.
Specialist homes for the disabled.
Smaller dedicated properties for the older generation, to enable them to downsize from larger properties, thereby freeing-up larger properties for younger families.

Q20. With reference to the options listed, or your own options, what do you think is the most appropriate way of meeting our permanent Gypsy and Traveller
accommodation needs?

The failure to provide traveller sites has led to many unauthorised sites within the green belt being granted
planning permission on appeal. With Michelin Farm no longer being an option, RDC needs to identify an
alternative appropriate site(s) either from within its ownership or purchased specifically for the purpose.
This site(s) should be located so that it (they) does not cause difficulties with established communities;
fly-tipping and the impact on nearby residents being just one example. Perhaps, particular consideration of a contained site(s) within the Green Belt, so as to obviate the likelihood of unplanned, piecemeal and unauthorised sites fragmenting the green belt.
Consideration also needs to be given to the fact that there are different groups within the Traveller communities who do not want to be placed together and perhaps ways can be found to integrate these into everyday life and housing.

Q21. With reference to the options listed, or your own options, what do you think is the most appropriate way of meeting our temporary Gypsy and Traveller
accommodation needs?

Some Traveller Groups tend to make their own arrangements to use owned land on a temporary basis.
RDC needs to identify a site(s) either from within its ownership or purchased specifically for this purpose.
It (they) would need to be sufficiently away from residences that they would not be disturbed or troubled
by vehicles/caravans arriving or leaving. Perhaps a pre-payment/booking system could be introduced for this purpose and at the same time, reducing the likelihood of over-crowding.

Q22. What do you consider would need to be included in a criteria-based policy for assessing potential locations for new Gypsy and Traveller sites?

Locate sites close to main roads to enable easy access for large vehicles, so that residential roads are not congested and nearby residents are not disturbed. Allow a little room for expansion and limit the likelihood encroachment onto neighbouring land.
Locate away from spaces of national, regional, local or community interest or recreation, so as not to spoil the visual amenity of the landscape.
The sites should not be closed and available to the whole Traveller community.

Employment and Jobs
Q23. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best ensure that we meet our employment and skills needs through the plan?

In addition to employment option 11 which states: Working with neighbouring authorities to identify land
for higher or further education facilities where this would address current and future skills shortages, information should be collected and made available on where there are shortages or opportunities coming up. Offer advice to adults wishing to or needing to reskill. Provide local affordable adult education courses on the skills needed. Work with employers, education centres and Essex County Council.

With reference to employment option 4 that states: Meeting future needs by prioritising the delivery of
new employment space alongside any new strategic housing developments. This should apply to the larger scale developments described in spatial strategy option 3. Employment option 4 goes on to specify live work units as an option. This would help with increasing numbers of people working from home. Also start up business centres and co-working spaces would be useful and there are many selfemployed people and small businesses in this area. A sympathetic attitude is required towards people running a business from home provided that the impact on the surrounding area is minimal.

In all of this we need to be mindful of paragraph 83 of the NPPF which requires policies and decisions to accommodate local business needs in a way which is sensitive to the surroundings and prioritises the reuse of existing sites and buildings.

Q24. With reference to Figure 30, do you consider the current employment site allocations to provide enough space to meet the District’s employment needs through
to 2040? Should we seek to formally protect any informal employment sites for commercial uses, including those in the green belt?

Consider any brownfield site for employment use these are currently mainly getting used for housing. There needs to be employment opportunities even in the smaller settlements if we are going to be greener and cut down on transport use. Employment option 6 states: Meeting future needs by prioritising the regularisation of informal employment sites such as those shown on figure 30. This would make employment accessible to people living in the rural communities especially if other farms
able to do this could also be identified. Most of the sites are in the western half of the district it would be useful to identify a few more sites in the east to make this a policy that serves the whole district.

Any use that is not heavily disruptive to the surrounding area should be permitted. Planning officers should be able to permit reasonable adjustments requested by residents to make extensions and adaptations to their homes to accommodate working from home or running a business from home.

Q25. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new employment facilities or improvements to existing employment facilities?

Our preferred spatial strategy option is 3a. Concentrated growth is required to bring the necessary infrastructure to make business and employment growth viable. There needs to be links to main roads to accommodate the commercial traffic required to service industry. Improvements to public transport to employment sites are needed.

Employment option 4 which states: Meeting future needs by prioritising the delivery of new employment space alongside any new strategic housing developments, could be delivered by strategy 3a.

Employment Strategy 6, which meets future needs by prioritising the regularisation of informal employment sites, would help deliver more businesses and employment. Employment option 3 refers to Saxon Business Park, Michelin Farm and Star Lane; we should continue to expand and improve these sites, however this needs to be done in conjunction with other options not as a stand-alone policy. These two strategies are needed and can be included in any of the spatial options.

Q26. Are there any particular types of employment site or business accommodation that you consider Rochford District is lacking, or would benefit from?

Sites set aside for education and health uses in addition to the services they provide, they also provide good employment opportunities. Foulness would be ideal for green industries.

Q27. Are there other measures we can take through the plan to lay the foundations for long-term economic growth, e.g. skills or connectivity?

Provide appropriate schools and colleges to serve the increase in population due to high development, but locate with public transport links and accessibility by walking or cycling in mind. Also work with neighbouring authorities to identify land for higher or further education facilities where this would address current and future skills shortages as stated in employment option 11.
Work with bus companies and Essex County Council to make our existing employment sites as accessible as possible. Improve footpaths and cycle tracks using government funding applied for by Rochford District Council. Move away from planning employment sites in places that are designed to be accessed by car use. Some employment is going to have to be close to settlements. This of course would have to be take into account paragraph 83 of the NPPF which requires policies and decisions to accommodate local business needs in a way which is sensitive to the surroundings and prioritises the reuse of existing sites and buildings.

Q28. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel
we can best manage the Airport’s adaptations and growth through the planning system?

Protect the airport and encourage airport linked transport adjacent or close to the airport eg, existing airport industrial park and Saxon Business Park. Both airport growth and industry will promote jobs.

The transport system both road network and public transport needs to be improved to make these growing opportunities accessible for all.

Q29. Do you agree that the plan should designate and protect areas of land of locally important wildlife value as a local wildlife site, having regard to the Local Wildlife Sites review? Are there any other sites that you feel are worthy of protection?

YES
While Hockley Woods does not seem to be mentioned here, we would have thought this ancient woodland (and similar woodland), and its important wildlife habitat should be included as it provides for a number of rare species including lesser spotted woodpeckers and hawfinches.

The lower Crouch Valley, the River Crouch and its banks are important habitats for fauna including birds that are on the endangered species red list. This includes curlews, whimbrels, and other wading birds. The pasture land flanking the Crouch towards Battlesbridge is an important habitat for skylarks and other species; these areas should be protected.

Restrict development in all other green belt areas, in order to protect nature. Alongside this, provide protection for nature reserves, parkland and areas fronting rivers.

Q30. Do you agree that the plan should designate and protect areas of land of locally important geological value as a local geological site, having regard to the Local
Wildlife Sites review? Are there any other sites that you feel are worthy of protection

Yes, as we have already stated, many areas provide habitats for endangered or rare wildlife and therefore are more than worthy of protection.

Q31. Do you consider net gains for biodiversity are best delivered on-site or off-site? Are there specific locations or projects where net gain projects could be delivered?

Onsite reduced developments in general will assist moving new developments to high unemployment
areas.
We agree with the central woodlands arc and island wetlands proposals.

Green and Blue Infrastructure
Q32. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best deliver a quality green and blue infrastructure network through the plan?

More investment is required in many areas of infrastructure, from roads to general services. It would be
beneficial to green ideals to restrict or ban development in or near green belt sites and to keep development in the rural areas to a minimum.

Q33. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best deliver a quality green and blue infrastructure network through the plan?

By lobbying central government to allow revision of RDC plans to support a quality green and blue infrastructure; additionally, Parish Councils could maintain coastal paths with funds from Section 106 agreements.

Q34. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to help deliver new strategic green and blue infrastructure?

Concentrate on brownfield and town sites in order to protect rural communities and the green belt – as
previously alluded, options 3 or 4 mean less development in rural areas and are therefore more
accommodating to the needs of smaller rural areas like Hullbridge, hence our choice of option 3a.

Community Infrastructure
Q35. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how can we address the need for sufficient and accessible community infrastructure through the plan?

Build property where there is existing infrastructure or where infrastructure can be expanded without
encroaching on green belt etc.

A survey needs to be carried out on local roads to determine what is needed to be upgraded to achieve
any sustainable way for traffic, both domestic and that which uses these as through roads.

With reference to Hullbridge much of it is unadopted roads and cannot support any development, let
alone be able to accommodate the use of these roads as through roads for both building access and ultimate through road access to any development. Provide schools for development areas and provide transport links to these schools. Local schools, both primary and secondary, are already struggling with the increase in pupil numbers coupled with limited capacity.

Q36. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new or improved community infrastructure?

Funds were given via section 106 to expand Hullbridge Healthcare Centre and provide more school places - neither of these has happened. This section 106 money was instead given to RDC in respect of the existing Malyons Farm development. More development would make the situation untenable, particularly if further section 106 monies were withheld by RDC and not allocated to benefitting the local community where new developments are built.

Q37. Are there areas in the District that you feel have particularly severe capacity or access issues relating to community infrastructure, including schools, healthcare
facilities or community facilities? How can we best address these?

Even with section 106 grants, if made available, healthcare facilities in Hullbridge are severely restricted, especially since the pandemic due to doctor shortage. Further development in Hullbridge would worsen healthcare provision and, even with section 106 grants if released by RDC, will not improve the situation.

Whilst this is outside the control of RDC, developments would cause serious issues particularly as Hullbridge traditionally has an ageing population - one which is obviously more reliant on healthcare, alongside the inevitability of new patients from current and any new developments.

There are currently inadequate or no existent bus and footpath links to areas east of Hullbridge, such as the Dome Area. Any development to the east of Hullbridge would have transport difficulty and also the impact on Lower Road would be unacceptable; this would be the case even bus links were improved.

The same approach needs to be taken with schools and highways and new residents could be short changed without easy access to schools, healthcare and employment.

Open Spaces and Recreation
Q38. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best meet our open space and sport facility needs through the plan?

With reference to open spaces and recreation option 5, we should improve and maintain what we already have, using section 106 money for improvements. We should ensure that any section 106 money does get spent how and where it was intended. No section 106 money should end up being unused.

We should improve bus links to existing facilities in the district, for example Clements Hall where buses used to run in the past (at least in the school holiday periods). There should be an aim to provide permanent all year-round bus services to our main leisure sites.

The Hockley ‘Park Run’ is very popular. Should the proposed Central Woodlands Arc come into being it
would be ideal for a park run. Orienteering could be an interesting additional activity; local scouting groups, and schooling groups too, would certainly benefit from this.

Q39. Are the potential locations for 3G pitch investment the right ones? Are there other locations that we should be considering?

We should ensure that any proposal for a 3G pitch has the backing of local residents. For reference, in 2016 a 3G pitch was applied for planning permission by The Fitzwimarc School but turned down by Rochford District Council due the objections of local residents.

Q40. Are the listed potential hub sites and key centres the right ones? Are there other locations that we should be considering?

Primary Schools should also be considered along with any site that could host a hockey or a 5 a side pitch.

Q41. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to help deliver improvements to open space or sport facility accessibility or provision?

Our preferred spatial strategy option is 3a. The section 106 money that comes with the larger developments has more chance of providing good sustainable new facilities.
A bus service needs to be run to facilities like Clements Hall, at least during half term and school holidays, to enable young people to access it from areas where it is currently difficult to access by public transport; this has been done in the past to access sports and in particularly swimming facilities which are not available in Hullbridge or Rawreth. Swimming facilities were excluded from the Rawreth Lane sport facility.

Q42. Are there particular open spaces that we should be protecting or improving?

Hullbridge Recreation Ground. Our nature reserves, parks and woodlands to promote walking and other
appropriate exercising activities.

Q43. With reference to the options listed in this section, or your own options, how do you feel we can best address heritage issues through the plan?

Protect village and rural areas from over or inappropriate development through careful planning considerations.
Compose a list of sites with local consultation. Then look maintain them with local residents and organisations

Q44. Are there areas of the District we should be considering for conservation area status beyond those listed in this section?

Villages fronting riversides: Hullbridge, Paglesham, Canewdon, South Fambridge.

Q45. Are there any buildings, spaces or structures that should be protected for their historic, cultural or architectural significance? Should these be considered for inclusion on the Local List of non-designated assets?

As with protected sites a consultation needs to be done for each locality. With reference to Hullbridge, in addition to the old school, Shell Cottage and River Cottage are already listed. We would add the school house next to the school, Brick Cottages, Tap's Cottage and the Anchor Cottages if they are not already listed buildings.

Town Centres and Retail
Q46. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you think we can best plan for vibrant town centres in Rochford, Rayleigh and Hockley?
How can we also ensure our village and neighbourhood centres remain vibrant?
[Please state]

Market forces are moving purchases online so town centres need to be more accessible and convenient to encourage day shopping, and also increase night time business where appropriate to take up capacity lost from retail.

Improve transport links to town shopping and amenities. There is no transport link from the Dome that would take their residents into nearby Hockley for example. There are no easy transport links from Hullbridge to Hockley or Rochford.

Q47. Do you agree with the local centre hierarchy set out in Figure 36? If not, what changes would you make? [Please state reasoning]

Protecting businesses generally will not work as commercially if they are not profitable, they will close
and we will have empty shops. Rochford District Council needs to encourage business with free parking and reduced business rates.

Businesses should be encouraged to work together with a co-operative nature, or a number of shops all open a little later one night of the week to make it worth shoppers coming out in the early evening. Local eateries could offer special deals on those nights.
Community events that encourage shops and businesses to join in – fairs, celebrations, etc.

Q48. With reference to Figures 38, 39 and 40, do you agree with existing town centre boundaries and extent of primary and secondary shopping frontages in Rayleigh,
Rochford and Hockley? If not, what changes would you make? [Please state reasoning]

Keep streets clean and tidy, and repair and repaint street furniture regularly. Conserve the character of the town centres by avoiding high rise development and buildings that are at odds with the street scene.

Q49. Should we continue to restrict appropriate uses within town centres, including primary and secondary shopping frontages within those centres? If yes, what uses should be restricted? [Please state reasoning]

Some existing ok but links to, e.g., Clements Hall from Hullbridge non-existent. Businesses cannot be forced into staying unless benefits outlined in Q47 are adhered to which may encourage some business opportunities and current business to remain.

Q50. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver improved retail and leisure services in the District? [Please state reasoning]

Spatial strategy 3a will give the most opportunity to expand retail both in terms of including retail space and bringing customers into the town centres nearest to the new developments. The document mentions a cinema. The best site for this would be Saxon Business Park. A bowling alley would work well with this alongside some eateries.

Transport and Connectivity
Q51. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best address our transport and connectivity needs through the plan?

Certainly, prepare an Infrastructure Delivery Plan that would deliver meaningful improvement to transport networks, including but not exclusively, cycle routes, walking pathways, public transport and roads. However, all these modes are currently completely stretched; modernisation and improvements to all need to happen before future housing developments are built. It should be noted that following the last developments in the Core Strategy, as far as Hullbridge is concerned (and almost certainly elsewhere also), the promised improvements have either not materialised, been completed or proven
to be inadequate.

The plan needs to deliver improvements to public transport by working with bus companies to reestablish bus routes to isolated communities that have been either been terminated or severely curtailed. For example, ‘The Dome’ has a bus service twice a week. Residents regularly complain that they are isolated from everywhere else. It is also claimed that Hullbridge has its own bus service that runs 4 - 7 times a day. This is not the experience of Hullbridge residents and it only needs the slightest issue along Hullbridge Road for the service to either be even further curtailed or suspended entirely.
RDC need to continue to work with Government, Highways England, Essex CC etc to deliver meaningful
road improvements to both the main road arteries and to the local road network. However, any large-scale bypass scheme such as the "Southend Outer Bypass" scheme needs to be opposed. Not only would it cut directly through the Green Belt but it would increase development along its course, which in turn would have enormous negative impact on the Green Belt itself, natural habitats and the environment generally.

Q52. Are there areas where improvements to transport connections are needed?

Whilst some improvements are shortly to commence at the Fairglen Interchange and A130, further improvements are needed to the Junction of Rawreth Lane and the A1245. Perhaps also the A127 could be widened along its length from four lanes to six lanes.

Additionally, the bus service between Hullbridge and Rayleigh can be cut with the slightest issue along
Hullbridge Road and this needs to be addressed urgently. When this happens it consequently results
in more vehicles using Hullbridge road, which in turn exacerbates traffic congestion and leads to other
problems such as pollution.

A bus service between Rochford and Rayleigh via Hullbridge and Hockley and Rayleigh via Hullbridge
would serve to reduce traffic congestion along Lower Road, especially at "rush" hours. This would benefit residents of the Dome as well as properties along the length of Lower Road. It would also serve to provide access for Hullbridge students to access the Greensward Academy that does not exist currently.

Q53. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for
growth to deliver new transport connections, such as link roads or rapid transit? What routes and modes should these take? [walking, cycling, rail, bus, road etc.]

Improvements to existing road networks. Large scale bypass schemes, such as the “Southend Outer”
bypass would be unacceptable because of the hugely detrimental impact on the Green Belt and its
physical and natural environment.

Small low top busses to link smaller communities with larger ones. Trams not a viable option for the more rural areas as roads are too narrow and winding; additionally, would increase congestion on existing roads.

Improvements to the cycle path network, extending and linking the network as and where appropriate and safe.

Green Belt and Rural Issues
Q54. Do you feel that the plan should identify rural exception sites? If so, where should these be located and what forms of housing or employment do you feel need
to be provided?

Yes, but not within the Green Belt and Rural and Village life must be safeguarded. Any such sites must be small scale and have developments that prioritise genuinely "Affordable" homes and/or Social Housing that would benefit local residents/families most.

Q55. Are there any other ways that you feel the plan should be planning for the needs of rural communities?

Support changes that would require developers of 10 units or less to pay something akin to s.106/CIL
monies, that would go towards infrastructure improvements, particularly those affecting rural communities.

Q60a. Do you agree with our vision for Hullbridge?

We do not agree with the wording or the aims of the provided vision statement for Hullbridge and have
instead drafted our own (see below). We were sceptical about the suggestion that the river could be used for transport without consideration on the viability or environmental impact of this proposal.

Hullbridge will have expanded on its already self-reliant nature, boasting impressive local businesses and amenities – providing a perfect space for those who wish to enjoy their retirement as well as those with young families. Through small, localised and respectable developments, the thriving community and riverside aesthetic of the village remains as strong as ever; all of this has been achieved through the transparency and openness of different local authorities, residents, businesses and developers on any and all developments going forward.

Q60b. With reference to Figure 48 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the land edged blue should be made available for any of the following uses?

The biggest issue with further development in Hullbridge is the distinct lack of infrastructure – whether that be roads, schools, transport and other general services – and so, without even mentioning the fact that many sites lay within the projected 2050 flood plains, the suggestion that further development can take place on any considerable scale is untenable. Any consideration of commercial or community infrastructure, such as youth services, care facilities, or local businesses would equally need to be subject to the same discussion and scrutiny.

Q60c. With reference to Figure 48 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the land edged blue should be made available for any of the following uses?

All of the areas lie within the green belt, and many will be within the projected 2050 flood plains, and so general appropriateness is not met with any; numerous promoted sites are outside walking distance of the majority of services and as such would increase residents using vehicles and increase reliance on our already stretched local infrastructure.

Q60d. Are there areas in Hullbridge that development should generally be presumed appropriate?

Significant portions of Hullbridge remain vital for local wildlife, its habitats, and the natural environment. As such, any and all developments along the River Crouch, the surrounding areas of Kendal Park and those that lie north of Lower Road should be protected from development.

Q60e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 48 hold local significance? Are there areas that require protecting from development?

Yes, all of those identified as such in Figure 48 are definitely areas of local significance and are correct to be identified as such. Other areas that should be outlined include the Rose Garden, the banks of the River Crouch and the upcoming green space and Memorial Gardens provided as part of the recent Malyons Farm development.

Q66. Do you agree that our rural communities do not require individual vision statements? Are there communities that you feel should have their own vision?
[Please state reasoning]

No - All communities should have their own individual, locally-determined vision statements, especially the more rural ones. Each settlement has its own distinct character and the vision statement would serve to aid the planning process in safeguarding their individual character.

Q67. Do you agree with our vision for our rural communities? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

Yes in the broadest terms. We would want it to re-iterate that the individual character and seeming uniqueness of our rural communities needs to be, and will be, safeguarded. By extension, we would like to see more activity in this regard from all tiers of Government.

Q68. Are there other courses of action the Council could take to improve the completeness of our rural communities?

Respect the green belt that surrounds our rural communities and our higher tier settlements; thereby
ensuring a buffer ("defensible boundary") that would actively prevent communities merging into one
conglomeration.

Create a Country Park to the west of Hullbridge.
Improve village roads, transport, educational and utility infrastructure. All of which are already in desperate need of improvement and renovation. For example, it is questionable whether the sewerage system in Hullbridge could cope with any further development without expansion and upgrading.

Support

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43167

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mr and Mrs Hill

Number of people: 2

Representation Summary:

Wish to register our support for the Liberal Democrats suggestion of a new garden village in the east of the district. This is, we believe, option 3a and 3b. The roads around Rayleigh, in particular Rawreth Lane, Hullbridge Road and Hambro Hill are becoming increasingly congested, and no more traffic should be encouraged in this area.

Full text:

Good morning,
We do not wish to ‘create a profile’ to comment on the proposed development sites in Rayleigh and Rawreth, but wish to register our support for the Liberal Democrats suggestion of a new garden village in the east of the district. This is, we believe, option 3a and 3b. The roads around Rayleigh, in particular Rawreth Lane, Hullbridge Road and Hambro Hill are becoming increasingly congested, and no more traffic should be encouraged in this area.
We hope this email is sufficient to register our objections and suggestions.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43178

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Ane Bates

Representation Summary:

Although I do not live in Rochford I am very concerned about any future developments because I believe that the climate emergency must be the overriding consideration and must be at the basis of all decisions. In your 20 year plan I would like you to consider:
-housing developments with only passive houses i.e. carbon neutral and with water saving features
-also to include social and family starter houses so young people can afford to live in Rochford
-more sustainable small businesses to provide employment
--cycle routes to schools
-charging points for electric cars
-commercial organic small holdings for fruit and vegetables (food resilience)
-an adventure playground
-more trees and open green spaces for the mental health and well being of residents
-green corridors for wildlife and biodiversity
-forest schools
-no concreting over front gardens and gardens and fields with hedges
As a nation we are hoping to become carbon neutral by 2050. This is vital for the wellbeing of us all. Please be innovative and courageous in your decisions.

Full text:

Although I do not live in Rochford I am very concerned about any future developments because I believe that the climate emergency must be the overriding consideration and must be at the basis of all decisions. In your 20 year plan I would like you to consider:
-housing developments with only passive houses i.e. carbon neutral and with water saving features
-also to include social and family starter houses so young people can afford to live in Rochford
-more sustainable small businesses to provide employment
--cycle routes to schools
-charging points for electric cars
-commercial organic small holdings for fruit and vegetables (food resilience)
-an adventure playground
-more trees and open green spaces for the mental health and well being of residents
-green corridors for wildlife and biodiversity
-forest schools
-no concreting over front gardens and gardens and fields with hedges
As a nation we are hoping to become carbon neutral by 2050. This is vital for the wellbeing of us all. Please be innovative and courageous in your decisions.

Object

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43201

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mr David Hall

Representation Summary:

Not being an engineer or environmentalist I can not comment on much of the information in your local plan.
However as a resident and road user I feel I must comment on an issue I believe that has been either ignored or overlooked.
The current roads in and around Rayleigh are already very busy and most evenings Rawreth Lane is often at a standstill or at least no more than walking pace. There are already 600 houses being built on Rawreth Lane plus a further 500 in Hullbridge.
It is a common fact that there are at least 2 cars per dwelling - in fact it is more like 1 car per bedroom.
Surely those in power must be aware that the current roads cannot cope with many thousands if not 10s of thousands extra cars on the roads in the area.
The extra pollution and congestion will be intolerable. People still need to get to work and most will most likely be working outside the area, with public transport lacking and the trains overcrowded, people will continue to use their cars for many decades to come.

Full text:

Not being an engineer or environmentalist I can not comment on much of the information in your local plan.
However as a resident and road user I feel I must comment on an issue I believe that has been either ignored or overlooked.
The current roads in and around Rayleigh are already very busy and most evenings Rawreth Lane is often at a standstill or at least no more than walking pace. There are already 600 houses being built on Rawreth Lane plus a further 500 in Hullbridge.
It is a common fact that there are at least 2 cars per dwelling - in fact it is more like 1 car per bedroom.
Surely those in power must be aware that the current roads cannot cope with many thousands if not 10s of thousands extra cars on the roads in the area.
The extra pollution and congestion will be intolerable. People still need to get to work and most will most likely be working outside the area, with public transport lacking and the trains overcrowded, people will continue to use their cars for many decades to come.

Object

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43278

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Anna Millar

Representation Summary:

I am not supportive of the long term options laid out in the plan. I am extremely concerned that They will increase flooding risks to the towns and villages in Rochford district and, in fact, some seem to be in areas already at risk of flooding which seems very ill thought through.<br>
The continuing addition of bolt on housing to our towns and villages without suitable infrastructure is resulting in continual traffic difficulties, unreliable public transport and further environmental damage from idling cars due to the ongoing roadworks to support them.

If additional housing is required it seems far more sensible for this to be built in new town format along with the required infrastructure and this message should be sent to local governments. Bolt on to our existing towns is unsustainable, inconvenient and doesn’t take account of the future environmental issues.

Full text:

I am not supportive of the long term options laid out in the plan. I am extremely concerned that They will increase flooding risks to the towns and villages in Rochford district and, in fact, some seem to be in areas already at risk of flooding which seems very ill thought through.

The continuing addition of bolt on housing to our towns and villages without suitable infrastructure is resulting in continual traffic difficulties, unreliable public transport and further environmental damage from idling cars due to the ongoing roadworks to support them.

If additional housing is required it seems far more sensible for this to be built in new town format along with the required infrastructure and this message should be sent to local governments. Bolt on to our existing towns is unsustainable, inconvenient and doesn’t take account of the future environmental issues.

In addition, I do not support the heritage site of the Mill and the Mill Hall being allowed for residential use. This is a historic site that we should protect and nurture. More community space is now needed given the additional housing, not less.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43296

Received: 28/09/2021

Respondent: Hawkwell Parish Council

Representation Summary:

Option 3a is Council’s preferred option. This seems the
least disruptive option and a new village to the west of
Rayleigh has the advantage of being close to exiting
road hubs (A127 and A130) which would enable good
transport links to Wickford, Basildon, Chelmsford,
Thurrock and Southend (the main employment routes).
Option 3a would attract Section 106 funding for
infrastructure, rather than adding to existing villages
and hoping for S106 funding afterwards towards
schools, community centres, medical centres and
shopping parades.
The Council promoted this option in the last Local Plan.
Option 3b would put even more pressure on existing
roads and erode the green belt and current separation
between Rochford District and Southend.
Option 3c would only lead to demands for a Southend
Bypass, promoted by developers which would lead to
further developments alongside the bypass.

Full text:

Hawkwell Parish Council - Official Response to RDC's Local Plan Spatial Options Consultation

Q1. Are there any other technical evidence
studies that you feel the Council needs to
prepare to inform its new Local Plan, other
than those listed in this section?

A full infrastructure assessment should be conducted,
to include a local highway study/up to date traffic
assessment. This study needs to be undertaken prior
to deciding the best option to deliver the new Local
Plan. The cumulative effect of the development of the
present District Plan on Hawkwell’s road system; the
Christmas Tree farm, Rectory Road, Hall Road and Brays
Lane sites, without the impact of Sapwoods site yet to
be developed.
It would also be important to obtain some
statistics/reports from schools & doctor surgery and
drainage capacity. All these areas appear to be at or
near capacity already.
Comprehensive air quality testing is a necessity, with
the increase in traffic volumes (34.5%) there must have
also been increased air pollution, which is dangerous to
the health of residents and must not be overlooked.
With reports of government already struggling to meet
their climate change targets and the extremely
worrying IPCC report it is essential that we start to
consider the consequences of the rising temperatures,
therefore a Flood Risk assessment should be provided.
There are many areas in our District that are predicted
to be under flood level by 2050 and the areas that
aren’t in the flood risk zone are already suffering from
surface flooding problems when we have torrential
downpours. (A very high proportion of
Hawkwell/Hockley sites are rated 2 for flood risk)
Perhaps a windfall report? It would be good to know
how many houses have already been built over the
course of the last Local Plan that couldn’t be included.
This could potentially be used for challenging
government for a reduction in the housing target,
which is something we would like to see.
We find it very difficult to respond to this consultation
without having the above technical evidence.

Q2. Do you agree with our draft vision for
Rochford District? Is there anything missing
from the vision that you feel needs to be
included? [Please state reasoning]

No. The Council believes that Hawkwell Parish should
not be split with West Hawkwell joined with Hockley
and East Hawkwell joined with Rochford in this study.

Q3. Do you agree that we should develop a range
of separate visions for each of our settlements to help guide decision-making? [Please state reasoning]

Yes. As explained above each settlement has its own
unique needs and characteristics and it is only by
working with Parish Councils and residents that their views can be reflected in the Plan to ensure the unique
character of each settlement is protected.

Q4. Do you agree with the strategic priorities and
objectives we have identified? Is there anything missing from the strategic priorities or objectives that you feel needs to be included? [Please state reasoning]

Strategic Option 2 fails to address the problems of the
aging population within the District, partly due to the
failure to provide low rent social housing. The strategy
should provide council housing stock in small local
exception sites.

STRATEGY OPTIONS

Q5. Do you agree with the settlement hierarchy
presented? If not, what changes do you think
are required? [Please state reasoning]

No. Council does not agree in splitting Hawkwell Parish
into West and East and joining these areas with Hockley
and Rochford/Ashingdon respectively. Hawkwell is the
largest Parish in the Rochford District, except for
Rayleigh Town Council, yet doesn’t feature as a
complete settlement in the hierarchy.

Q6. Which of the identified strategy options do you consider should be taken forward in the Plan? [Please state reasoning]

Option 3a is Council’s preferred option. This seems the
least disruptive option and a new village to the west of
Rayleigh has the advantage of being close to exiting
road hubs (A127 and A130) which would enable good
transport links to Wickford, Basildon, Chelmsford,
Thurrock and Southend (the main employment routes).
Option 3a would attract Section 106 funding for
infrastructure, rather than adding to existing villages
and hoping for S106 funding afterwards towards
schools, community centres, medical centres and
shopping parades.
The Council promoted this option in the last Local Plan.
Option 3b would put even more pressure on existing
roads and erode the green belt and current separation
between Rochford District and Southend.
Option 3c would only lead to demands for a Southend
Bypass, promoted by developers which would lead to
further developments alongside the bypass.

Q7. Are there any reasonable alternatives to
these options that should be considered
instead? [Please state reasoning]

Yes. A combination of Option 1 and Option 3a after
utilising all available brownfield sites and infrastructure
improvements have been planned and/or completed.

SPATIAL THEMES

Q8. Are there any key spatial themes that you
feel we have missed or that require greater
emphasis? [Please state reasoning]

Council is concerned that the whole character of the
District will change with the urbanisation of the District.
Accessibility to some of the consultation documents
has been very problematic and Council has concerns
that residents, particularly those without access to a
computer, are not realistically able to view or respond
to the consultation.

Q9. Do you agree we should take a sequential
approach to flood risk and coastal change in our plan, locating development away from
areas at risk of flooding and coastal change
wherever possible? How can we best protect
current and future communities from flood
risk and coastal change? [Please state
reasoning]

We agree that it is essential that both flood risk and
coastal change be considered when developing a suitable plan and development sites. A plan needs to
focus on limiting flooding, protecting people, wildlife
and properties.
According to the climate central coastal risk screening
tool, the land projected to be below annual flood level
in 2050 includes a large part of the district (areas
affected include Foulness, Wakering, Barling,
Paglesham, Stambridge, South Fambridge, Hullbridge,
Canewdon and Rochford).
The main route out of Rochford between the train
station and the airport is also affected, roads leading to
for example, Watery Lane, Lower Road etc and
including the A130 & A1245.
Large retail areas such as Purdeys Industrial Estate may
also be affected which would affect employment. As
would employment areas such Battlesbridge, Rawreth
& Shotgate.
As the sea levels rise further other complications may
include:
• People unable to get mortgages and insurance,
therefore they may not be able to live in those
areas.
• People wanting to migrate to areas of lower
flood risk.

Q10. Do you agree that the Coastal Protection Belt
and Upper Roach Valley should be protected
from development that would be harmful to
their landscape character? Are there other
areas that you feel should be protected for
their special landscape character? [Please
state reasoning]

The Coastal Protection Belt only lasts to 2025 and
needs to be extended for many years. All development
in flood plains must be resisted as the danger of
flooding will increase. Hockley Woods and Cherry
Orchard Country Park must be protected from
development. The fields around St. Mary’s church in
Hawkwell and the network of footpaths around
Clements Hall and Glencroft Open Space need to be
protected for its contribution to wildlife habitat.

Q11. Do you agree we should require development to source a percentage of their energy from low-carbon and renewable sources? Are there other opportunities in the
district to supply low-carbon or renewable energy?

The way forward is renewable energy, wind farms and
solar panel farms, provided they are not in places with
impact on sensitive areas.
The area does not have enough free land to support
wind or Solar P.V farms to create enough energy. These
farms have a massive impact on the community as
large trenches have to be dug over great distances to
lay the cables to Sub Stations, that have to be built.
Other sources of producing Zero Carbon energy should
be selected, before covering every piece of land with
P.V panels or Wind turbines.

Q12. Do you agree we should require new development to achieve energy efficiency standards higher than building regulations?
What level should these be set at? [Please state reasoning].

Yes, providing the cost is not passed to the house buyer
making the cost prohibitive. Local building control
inspections should only be carried out by the Council’s
Inspectors.

Q13. How do you feel the plan can help to support the local generation of low-carbon and renewable energy? Are there locations where you feel energy generation should be supported? [Please state reasoning]

Foulness Island could be a good location for a Solar
Farm and wind turbines off the shore.
The plan cannot support local low carbon generation
and renewable energy. The only way this can be
achieved by all the Districts or Counties is if the grid is
de-centralised and smaller power stations are sited in
places like Foulness, where impact to the Community
would be kept to a minimum.

Q14. Do you consider that the plan should include
a place-making charter that informs relevant
policies? Should the same principles apply
everywhere in the district, or should different
principles apply to different areas? [Please
state reasoning]

Yes. They should be settlement specific to allow for
individual characteristic of each area, sufficiently
detailed to avoid confusion.

Q15. Are the principles set out in the draft placemaking charter the right ones? Are there other principles that should be included? [Please state reasoning]

Yes, provided that individual settlements are consulted,
and they are adhered to.

Q16.
a. Do you consider that new design guides, codes or masterplans should be created alongside the new Local Plan?

Yes. Each individual settlement should be at the centre
of it and considered as their own entities, with their own individual characteristics identified.

b. If yes, do you think it is more appropriate to have a single design guide/code for the whole District, or to have design guides/codes/masterplans for individual
settlements or growth areas? [Please state reasoning]

Design guides should be area specific under one single
guide covering the whole district.

c. What do you think should be included in design guides/codes/masterplans at the scale you are suggesting? [Please state reasoning].

The Design Guides must reflect the character of the
settlements while allowing for some growth.

HOUSING FOR ALL


Q17. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best plan to meet our need for different types, sizes and tenures of housing? [Please state reasoning]

Meet the needs for different types of tenures of
affordable, social, council and specialist housing by
requiring all types are provided on all new
developments.

Q18. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there areas or sites in Rochford that you feel require a specific approach to housing types, size and tenure? What is required to meet housing needs in these areas? [Please state reasoning]

There is a need for more flats, bungalows, 2 bed
houses. These can be accommodated in Option 3a. In
addition, the Council has a long-held view that
bungalows should not be converted into houses as this
depletes the bungalow stock which are required for an
ageing population.

According to the strategy options/growth scenarios, the house price to local earning ratios, suggest our area is the least affordable in the country. It also states that our housing registers has grown by 20% in the last year.
With house prices going up it would mean that younger
generations are priced out of the area. If they leave the
area it would create more of a retirement settlement
than before, therefore requiring less employment & retail space etc.
Focus on building smaller properties (e.g. 1-3 bedrooms) and tailored towards singles/couples/first time buyers/young adults who are still living at home with parents.
Other priorities should be for ground level properties,
suitable for the aging and disabled residents, we should
be safeguarding existing bungalows which are rapidly
disappearing. Providing these options would ‘free up’
the larger properties within the district, meaning we
shouldn’t require so many larger (4/5 bedroom) homes.
It is important to note that first time buyers, buying a
property in the area will more than likely already live in
the district and own a vehicle. This means that no new
traffic is created, however for larger, more expensive
properties that attract buyers from outside the area
will also bring additional vehicles onto the already
congested roads.
Social housing and homes for homeless and vulnerable
residents also needs better consideration.

Q19. Are there any other forms of housing that you feel we should be planning for? How can we best plan to meet the need for that form of housing? [Please state reasoning]

Affordable housing for the disabled and starter homes
should be planned for.

Q20. With reference to the options listed, or your own options, what do you think is the most appropriate way of meeting our permanent Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs? [Please state reasoning]

Possible need a permanent traveller site which could be
controlled in terms of site population exceeding capacity.

Q21. With reference to the options listed, or your own options, what do you think is the most appropriate way of meeting our temporary Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs? [Please state reasoning]

Sites need to be away from residents but also close
enough to schools. Also needs to be near main roads to accommodate large vehicles and caravans.

Q22. What do you consider would need to be included in a criteria-based policy for assessing potential locations for new Gypsy and Traveller sites? [Please state reasoning]

See answer to Q21. In addition, sensitive green belt
areas should not be considered as potential locations.

EMPLOYMENT & JOBS

Q23. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best ensure that we meet our employment and skills needs through the plan? [Please state reasoning]

Ensure that Essex Education Authority provides evening
and afternoon classes to offer affordable, local adult
education to address skill shortages and allow
opportunities to support residents to get back into
work or upskill/retrain. Work with local colleges, as
well as businesses, job centres and Essex County
Council to assess what sustainable employment is
needed in the District.
Large retail areas such as Purdey’s Industrial Estate may
be affected by flooding in the future, which would
affect employment. Current businesses within the flood
risk area may possibly need to be relocated or they
could lose employment opportunities.

Q24. With reference to Figure 30, do you consider the current employment site allocations to provide enough space to meet the District’s employment needs through to 2040? Should we seek to formally protect any informal
employment sites for commercial uses, including those in the Green Belt? [Please state reasoning]

Greenbelt sites must be controlled by regularisation of
informal sites. Brownfield sites should be used first and
protected from housing development if they have a
current or future potential to provide employment
opportunities. There is a need for employment in local
communities as this is a greener option as it reduces
transport use.

Q25. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new employment facilities or improvements to existing employment facilities?

Council’s preferred option 3a provides many
employment opportunities to establish the new
infrastructure over many years. Various types of
employment facilities, i.e. industrial units, hospitality,
retail and other employment could be included in
option 3a. This option satisfies the ‘Employment
Option 4’ which states “meeting future needs by
prioritising employment space alongside any new
strategic housing developments.”

Q26. Are there any particular types of employment
site or business accommodation that you consider Rochford District is lacking, or would benefit from?

Yes, lacking in ‘green’ industries. Sites for ‘sustainable
living’ businesses e.g. refill stores, market type sites for
locally grown or manufactured foods or crafted items,
small holdings, upcycling or repair & restore facilities.

Q27. Are there other measures we can take through the plan to lay the foundations for long-term economic growth, e.g., skills or connectivity?

Better road networks and public transport links to serve
new schools and colleges required as result of the
increase in population linked to development. Also
improve footpaths and cycle path access. Consider
higher or further education facilities and availability of
apprenticeships and training for all ages, to address the
current and future skills shortages.

Q28. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best manage the Airport’s adaptations and growth through the planning system? [Please state reasoning]

Careful consideration should be given to the growth of
the airport; it would bring additional jobs and business
opportunities, but it would also put more strain on the
existing transport network and would bring additional noise and air pollution. It would also require more land.
Improvements to the public transport system and road
network would be required to enable growth and jobs
linked to the airport industry. Airport linked transport
adjacent to both the existing airport industrial park and
Saxon Business Park should be included in the strategy.
Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the impact
of Climate Change on the aviation industry (e.g., urgent
carbon reduction), we should continue to make
decisions based on the existing JAAP for the time being,
but to consider developing a new Area Action Plan, or
masterplan, after the new Local Plan is adopted or
when the need arises.

BIODIVERSITY

Q29. Do you agree that the plan should designate and protect areas of land of locally important wildlife value as a local wildlife site, having regard to the Local Wildlife Sites review? Are there any other sites that you feel are worthy of protection? [Please state reasoning]

Yes. Gusted Hall Wood, Hockley Woods (ancient
woodland). The upper Roach Valley, the lower Crouch
Valley. The rivers Roach and Crouch.
All local Nature Reserves and ancient woodland sites
must be protected at all costs. Magnolia Nature reserve
is home to protected Great Crested Newts.
We should avoid building on green belt, park land and
coastal locations, to protect wildlife and habitats.
Evidence suggests that society is losing its connection
to nature, we must not allow this to continue and must
ensure that future generations have a legacy. New
wildflower meadow creation would also be very
valuable as our insects and pollinators are in decline.

Q30. Do you agree that the plan should designate and protect areas of land of locally important geological value as a local geological site, having regard to the Local Wildlife Sites review? Are there any other sites that you
feel are worthy of protection? [Please state reasoning]

Yes. Many areas provide important wildlife habitats for
protected, endangered or rare wildlife and fauna. It is
important that these areas are protected for future
generations.

Q31. Do you consider net gains for biodiversity are best delivered on-site or off-site? Are there specific locations or projects where net gain projects could be delivered?

On-site.

GREEN AND BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE

Q32. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best deliver a quality green and blue infrastructure network through the plan?
[Please state reasoning]

By retaining what is already in existence by ensuring
the links are in place to join as many locations as
possible. Additionally, ensuring that Public Rights of
Way (ProW) are free from land-owner obstructions and
that they are kept free from any debris. Also, paths
need to be made accessible to the disabled to ensure
all- inclusive facilities.

Q33. Do you agree that the central woodlands arc and island wetlands, shown on Figure 32 are the most appropriate areas for new regional parklands? Are there any other areas that should be considered or preferred? [Please state reasoning]

By lobbying central government to allow revision of
RDC plans to support a quality green and blue
infrastructure; additionally, Parish Councils could
maintain paths such as costal paths with funds from
Section 106 agreements.

Q34. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to help deliver new strategic green and blue infrastructure? [Please state reasoning]

Our choice of Option 3a, Council believes there should
be concentration on brownfield and town sites to
protect rural communities and the Green Belt.
Alternative options 3 or 4 mean less development in
rural areas and are therefore more accommodating to
the needs of smaller rural areas.

COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

Q35. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how can we address the need for sufficient and accessible community infrastructure through the plan? [Please state reasoning]

It is important to assess the shortfall of facilities and
networks before plans are approved to ensure
adequate planning and funding can be secured before
any building takes place.
Options could be considered to get people across the
road without the need to stop the traffic, such as a
walking bridge/flyover on Ashingdon Road where there
are 3 crossings within close proximity to each to other,
which is a significant cause of traffic and congestion.

Q36. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new or improved community infrastructure? [Please state reasoning]

Any section 106 monies should be legally
specified/described in the plans to state that it must be
allocated to the development area stated within the
plans and not used for other sites elsewhere.

Q37. Are there areas in the District that you feel have particularly severe capacity or access issues relating to community infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities or community facilities? How can we best
address these? [Please state reasoning]

Ashingdon Road is gridlocked most days and has a
severe congestion problem. There should be public
transport links that allow residents to easily travel
between parishes within the district (for example:
Ashingdon to Hullbridge, or even travelling from East to
West Hawkwell would currently require 2 buses). Even
if Section 106 grants were made available, healthcare
facilities in Hawkwell are currently severely restricted,
especially since the pandemic due to doctor shortage;
those grants are unlikely to improve the situation.
Further development in Hawkwell would put further
burden on the healthcare provision.
A new site for the waste recycling site should be
located; the tip in Rayleigh seems to be insufficient
now.

OPEN SPACES & RECREATION

Q38. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best meet our open space and sport facility needs through the plan? [Please state reasoning]

Permanent all year-round bus services to our main
leisure sites.
Section 106 monies, if available, should help fund the
improvement of the football pitches at Clements Hall. It
is important to safeguard, improve and maintain
existing open spaces and recreational sites.

Q39. Are the potential locations for 3G pitch investment the right ones? Are there other locations that we should be considering? [Please state reasoning]

All-weather facilities should be considered where
appropriate.

Q40. Are the listed potential hub sites and key centres the right ones? Are there other locations that we should be considering? [Please state reasoning]

The potential sites seem acceptable.

Q41. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to help deliver improvements to open space or sport facility accessibility or provision?

There could be improvements made to Clements Hall,
including public transport links to and from the leisure
centre. Council’s preferred option 3a. would enable
delivery of new open space and sports facility provision
and S106 monies from larger developments could help
fund appropriate new facilities.

Q42. Are there particular open spaces that we should be protecting or improving? [Please note, you will have an opportunity to make specific comments on open spaces and local green spaces in the settlement profiles set
out later in this report]

Magnolia Nature Reserve and all other Reserves, green
spaces, parks, woodlands and the reservoir must be
protected.

HERITAGE

Q43. With reference to the options listed in this section, or your own options, how do you feel we can best address heritage issues through the plan? [Please state reasoning]

Villages and rural areas need to be protected from over
and/or inappropriate development through careful
planning considerations. A list of sites should be
composed with local consultation and those sites
maintained with local residents and organisations.

Q44. Are there areas of the District we should be
considering for conservation area status beyond those listed in this section? [Please state reasoning]

Areas of precious woodland should not be taken for
housing.

Q45. Are there any buildings, spaces or structures
that should be protected for their historic, cultural or architectural significance? Should these be considered for inclusion on the Local List of non-designated assets? [Please state reasoning]

The updated Local List needs to be made available for
an answer on this section.

TOWN CENTRES AND RETAIL


Q46. With reference to the options listed above, or your own options, how do you think we can best plan for vibrant town centres in Rochford, Rayleigh and Hockley? How can we also ensure our village and neighbourhood
centres remain vibrant? [Please state reasoning]

People need to ‘want’ to visit towns. People’s habits
have changed and therefore entertainment and shop
offerings need to reflect this. If nightlife is going to be
improved then consideration needs to be given to
security; people need to feel safe, especially in areas
that are prone to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) already.
Transport links to town shopping and amenities need to
be improved. For example, there are no easy transport
links from Hullbridge to Hockley, Hawkwell or Rochford.

Q47. Do you agree with the local centre hierarchy set out in Figure 36? If not, what changes would you make? [Please state reasoning]

Rochford District Council (RDC) needs to encourage
business with free parking and reduced business rates.
Businesses should be encouraged to work together, or
a number of shops have extended opening hours to
encourage shoppers coming out in the early evening.

Q48. With reference to Figures 38-40, do you agree with existing town centre boundaries and extent of primary and secondary shopping frontages in Rayleigh, Rochford and Hockley? If not, what changes would you make? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q49. Should we continue to restrict appropriate uses within town centres, including primary and secondary shopping frontages within those centres? If yes, what uses should be restricted? [Please state reasoning]

Yes, a selection of retailers is essential. There needs to
be a balance of outlets that keeps the area viable.
Consideration should also be given to the restriction of
chain stores as these tend to be the first to go in a
crisis.

Q50. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver improved retail and leisure services in the District? [Please state reasoning]

Spatial strategy option 3a will allow the most
opportunity to expand retail both in terms of including
retail space and bringing customers into the town
centres, nearest to new developments. Depending on
the development size, in a new development there
would be scope to add a small, medium, or large retail
precinct.

TRANSPORT & CONNECTIVITY

Q51. With reference to the options above, or your own options, how do you feel we can best address our transport and connectivity needs through the plan? [Please state reasoning]

Development should not be seen without seeing
infrastructure first. Prepare an Infrastructure Delivery
Plan to deliver meaningful improvement to transport
networks, including cycle routes, walking pathways,
public transport and roads. It is worth noting these
modes are currently completely stretched and
therefore modernisation and improvements
need to occur before future housing developments are
built. (An electric scooter scheme could also be
introduced.) RDC need to work with Government,
Highways England, Essex County Council etc to deliver
meaningful road improvements to both the main and
local road network. However, the Southend Bypass
scheme which will destroy a large green belt area
should be opposed.

Q52. Are there areas where improvements to transport connections are needed? What could be done to help improve connectivity in these areas?

There needs to be an extensive review of the area with
highways and transport revisions.

Q53. With reference to your preferred Strategy Option, are there opportunities for growth to deliver new transport connections, such as link roads or rapid transit? What routes and modes should these take? [Walking, cycling, rail, bus, road etc.]

A bypass scheme that would only incorporate cycling,
walking and scooters etc around the outskirts would
help with congestion issues on the overcrowded roads.

GREEN BELT AND RURAL ISSUES

Q54. Do you feel that the plan should identify rural
exception sites? If so, where should these be located and what forms of housing or employment do you feel need to be provided? [Please note you may wish to comment on the use of specific areas of land in the next section]

Green belt and farmland / agricultural sites must be
protected. Rural and village life must also be
safeguarded.

Q55. Are there any other ways that you feel the plan should be planning for the needs of rural communities? [Please stare reasoning]

There should be support for the requirement of
developers of 10 units or less to pay something akin to
s.106/CIL monies. That would go towards infrastructure
improvements, particularly those affecting rural
communities.

PLANNING FOR COMPLETE COMMUNITIES

Q56.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Rayleigh? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 44 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses?

N/A

How could that improve the completeness of Rayleigh?

N/A

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]

N/A

ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]

N/A

iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]

N/A

iv. Other

c. Are there areas in Rayleigh that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 44 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance?

N/A

Q57.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Rochford and Ashingdon? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

Hawkwell Parish shares the Ashingdon Road with both
Ashingdon and Rochford Parish so any development
has an impact on East Hawkwell, which is not
mentioned in the consultation. Development not only
affects our Primary Schools and Doctors Surgeries but
also the road network. The proposed sites (some 5,000
properties) accessing onto Brays Lane leading onto the
Ashingdon Road and Rectory Road, onwards to Cherry
Orchard Way plus developments proposed in West
Hawkwell (some 1,280 properties) would lead to the
majority of the total development being concentrated
in this part of the District and would result in complete
urbanisation.

b. With reference to Figure 45 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Rochford and Ashingdon?

Council’s preferred Option 3a would alleviate the
pressure on the villages of Hockley, Hawkwell,
Ashingdon and Rochford.

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]

N/A

ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]

N/A

iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]

N/A

iv. Other

N/A

c. Are there areas in Rochford and Ashingdon that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 45 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q58.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Hockley and Hawkwell? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

The vision “In 2050, Hockley and Hawkwell should be
the District's gateway to the green lung of the Upper
Roach Valley, making the most of its access to ancient
woodland and a network of nature reserves. Its town
and neighbourhood centres should be vibrant places
with an emphasis on independent businesses and
providing for a diverse range of jobs. Deprivation should
continue to be largely absent from Hockley and
Hawkwell however housing affordability should have
been addressed to ensure that local first-time buyers
can greater afford to live locally.”
Firstly, it will not be a green lung if houses are built
within it. To be the ‘gateway to the green lung’, it
needs to be protected. Some of the proposed areas for
Hockley & Hawkwell contain ancient woodland. A
gateway also presumes by its nature that throughfare
of traffic is required, which could be interpreted as
traffic problems.
Also, Hockley has a village centre whereas Hawkwell is
mainly residential and comprised of green spaces
rather than leisure/social facilities, except for Clements
Hall, so the term vibrant would only be appropriate for
Hockley. As answered in Questions 2 and 5, Council
believe that there should be separate visions for
Hockley and Hawkwell as they are very different.
We agree that: “deprivation should continue to be
largely absent from Hockley and Hawkwell however
housing affordability should have been addressed to
ensure that local first-time buyers can greater afford to
live locally.”

b. With reference to Figure 46 and your preferred strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Hockley and Hawkwell?

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

Most of the sites listed for Hockley & Hawkwell are
marked as severe/mildly severe harm when it comes to
the green belt. There are also a number of sites that
contain ancient woodland.
Hawkwell & Hockley are already at capacity and
therefore would require infrastructure improvements
before even considering any further development. Any
sites that create traffic through Rochford, Hockley or
Hullbridge would be opposed, in particular those that
need to utilise Ashingdon Road, Spa Road & Lower
Road, and those that empty traffic onto the B1013, due
to already being over capacity.

c. Are there areas in Hockley and Hawkwell that
development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

No, we feel it is not possible to comment on any sites
regarding their suitability without the full infrastructure
delivery plan being provided beforehand.
No green belt sites would be appropriate.
Development should be on brownfield sites only.
If the land would be of no use to agriculture and that
infrastructure had current capacity to absorb the extra
homes/residents. This would need to be evidenced.

c. Are there areas in Hockley and Hawkwell that
development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

No, we feel it is not possible to comment on any sites
regarding their suitability without the full infrastructure
delivery plan being provided beforehand.
No green belt sites would be appropriate.
Development should be on brownfield sites only.
If the land would be of no use to agriculture and that
infrastructure had current capacity to absorb the extra
homes/residents. This would need to be evidenced.

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

Yes, green belt needs to be protected for biodiversity
reasons and agriculture sites must be protected, as one
of the consequences of climate change could mean we
would have to look at growing produce locally. Ancient
woodlands must not be touched as they are
irreplaceable. Any sites containing wildlife must also be
protected, even those that serve as a barrier from
human life to wildlife as this creates a safe zone and
habitat.

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 46 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

They would hold local and national significance, as they
are green spaces and therefore hold significance,
especially in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Q59.
a. Do you agree with our vision for the Wakerings and Barling? Is there anything QUESTIONS you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 47 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of the
Wakerings and Barling?

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

N/A

c. Are there areas in the Wakerings and Barling that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning] Q59e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 47 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q60.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Hullbridge? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 48 and your
preferred Strategy Option, do you think any
of the promoted sites should be made
available for any of the following uses? How
could that improve the completeness of
Hullbridge?

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

N/A

c. Are there areas in Hullbridge that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 48 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q61.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Canewdon? Is there anything you feel is QUESTIONS missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 49 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Canewdon?

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

N/A

c. Are there areas in Canewdon that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 48 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q62.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Great Stambridge? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 50 and your
preferred Strategy Option, do you think any
of the promoted sites should be made
available for any of the following uses? How
could that improve the completeness of
Great Stambridge?
N/A

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

N/A

c. Are there areas in Great Stambridge that
development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 50 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q63.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Rawreth? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 51 and your
preferred Strategy Option, do you think any
of the promoted sites should be made
available for any of the following uses? How
could that improve the completeness of
Rawreth?

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

N/A

c. Are there areas in Rawreth that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 51 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q64.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Paglesham? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 52 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the promoted sites should be made available for any of the following uses? How could that improve the completeness of Paglesham?

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space, education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

N/A

c. Are there areas in Paglesham that development should generally be presumed appropriate? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces
shown on Figure 52 hold local significance?
Are there any other open spaces that hold
particular local significance? [Please state
reasoning]

N/A

Q65.
a. Do you agree with our vision for Sutton and
Stonebridge? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

b. With reference to Figure 53 and your
preferred Strategy Option, do you think any
of the promoted sites should be made
available for any of the following uses? How
could that improve the completeness of
Sutton and Stonebridge?

i. Housing [market, affordable, specialist, traveller, other]
ii. Commercial [offices, industrial, retail, other]
iii. Community infrastructure [open space,
education, healthcare, allotments, other]
iv. Other

N/A

d. Are there areas that require protecting from
development? Why these areas? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

e. Do you agree that the local green spaces shown on Figure 53 hold local significance? Are there any other open spaces that hold particular local significance? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q66. Do you agree that our rural communities do not require individual vision statements? Are there communities that you feel should have their own vision? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q67. Do you agree with our vision for our rural
communities? Is there anything you feel is missing? [Please state reasoning]

N/A

Q68. Are there other courses of action the Council
could take to improve the completeness of our rural communities?

N/A

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43415

Received: 21/09/2021

Respondent: Mr and Mrs Isherwood

Representation Summary:

It is about time that we looked at restricting the majority of future development to brownfield sites on sites of less benefit.

Full text:

CFS064

The roads on Betts Farm, Hockley and ALL local roads are already congested and causing pollution and damaging our health without adding more large developments. The infrastructure has not kept pace with developments, try getting a doctor's appointment or a place in schools. It is about time that we looked at restricting the majority of future development to brownfield sites on sites of less benefit.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43456

Received: 21/09/2021

Respondent: Myra Weir

Representation Summary:

The only option is 3A. This presents the opportunity to provide a new garden village west of Rayleigh with the benefit of better road infrastructure with easy access to Basildon, Chelmsford, Southend, Wickford and London, also Thurrock and bridge to South London and Kent where most employment is, via A130 and A127.

Option 3B would erode the Green Belt and put greater pressure of Southend as would Option 3C and put pressure on demand for a bypass which would open up more land for development, it's also in a flood risk area.

Full text:

[Please see individual representations to questions]

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43472

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Dorothy Croucher

Number of people: 2

Representation Summary:

Options 3a & 3b would definitely be more sensible.

Full text:

Options 3a & 3b would definitely be more sensible.

The roads in Rayleigh are already congested with queues on side roads and main roads, such as London Road. How will we cope with more houses, cars, commercial transport etc? Has any provision been made for public transport to alleviate traffic jams?

Getting a doctor's appointment is already very difficult. How many doctor's surgeries are planned for and where are the doctors coming from? New roads, clinics, schools and shops will also be necessary.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43478

Received: 04/09/2021

Respondent: Anne Clarke

Number of people: 2

Representation Summary:

We prefer options 3a & 3b.

Full text:

We prefer options 3a & 3b.

If the housing is going to be around Rayleigh - where are the new roads, schools, doctors, clinics, shops?

The roads through Rayleigh are at present all congested and new housing will only make it worse! And roads local to and including Station Crescent are becoming like main roads. Has provision of public transport been planned for?

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43484

Received: 20/09/2021

Respondent: Mr David Butcher

Number of people: 2

Representation Summary:

Surely it would be better to build new developments away from existing towns and villages with new facilities purpose built for the amount of dwellings rather than stretching the resources which are already not coping with demand.

Full text:

Dear Sirs

We have looked at the proposed sites for development and are concerned that it seems as though Rayleigh will be at least a third bigger than it is presently, with, we guess if recent developments are anything to go by, few properties that first time buyers like our grandchildren would be able to afford.

Surely it would be better to build new developments away from existing towns and villages with new facilities purpose built for the amount of dwellings rather than stretching the resources which are already not coping with demand.

As there are constant traffic jams through the centre of Rayleigh particularly bad at peak times earning it the dubious reputation of having extremely bad air quality it makes us fearful of the health of Rayleigh residents if this development was to take place.

We understand that in the previous plans for development - Allocates DPD Reg. 25 it was stated that there would be public parkland providing a buffer between the built development and the A1245, but this proposal shows large areas, probably containing over 1000 dwellings right up to the A1245.

We fail to see how these proposals would enhance or conserve the natural and historic environment. Indeed, we feel that once dwellings are built near to them it would have the opposite effect of encroaching on them and eventually swallowing them up. Hence we do not support the demolition of The Mill, a recreational building, for more apartment blocks.

it would be very unlikely that the residents of these developments would bring new life to the High Street and other existing commercial properties as the queues of traffic to get into the town and parking fees would make the choice of shopping in out of town where parking is free would be much more attractive.

We both agree that Rayleigh is a lovely town but are becoming increasingly frustrated with the amount of traffic that runs through it (particularly if there is trouble on the A127 when it becomes a 'rat run'). Recent development has not enhanced the High Street apart from encouraging new eating places. Please don't let it be destroyed forever!

Object

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43558

Received: 27/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Alan Burton

Representation Summary:

No room for extra houses
No room for more people
No room for more schools
No room for more doctors
No room for more clinics
Extra fumes
Not enough jobs.

Full text:

No room for extra houses
No room for more people
No room for more schools
No room for more doctors
No room for more clinics
Extra fumes
Not enough jobs.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43568

Received: 31/08/2021

Respondent: Mr & Mrs P F Wiseman

Number of people: 2

Representation Summary:

We understand that new housing is required, although at a national level there must be alternatives to cramming so much of it into the home counties. However our preference is for small number of larger developments (like that adjacent to Hall Road, Rochford) as with these the necessary road infrastructure and amenities such as schools, doctors' surgeries etc., can be provided. This, surely has to be preferable to a number of small 'fill in' estates like that being promoted for Sandhill Road.

Full text:

Spatial Options Consultations - some objections to promoted development Site CFS059

We have recently noted the promoted development of 20 houses on this 0.58 hectare site at the south-east end of Sandhill Road and wish to make several points against allowing such a development to proceed.

1. The existing site access (which is the only genuinely conceivable access for this development) is rated using the scoring system on the Site assessment Proforma as 3. This seems fairly neutral but we are both of the opinion that this is a serious underestimate of the negative impact such a development would have on Sandhill Road. The cul de sac section of Sandhill Road, which would give access to any development, is private, narrow (especially at its south-east end adjacent to the site) and poorly lit. Sandhill Road and the Rochford district section of Eastwood Rise have no pavements so that vehicles and pedestrians share the carriageway. Emergency vehicles, dust carts, delivery lorries etc., frequently have difficulty reaching the far end of Sandhill road and further development would aggravate this problem.

2. The junction of this part of Sandhill Road with Eastwood Rise, which features an unusable mini roundabout, is already difficult for all and dangerous for some because of the narrowness of Sandhill Road and poor sight lines at the junction. This is especially true for pedestrians given their lack of separation from vehicles.

3. The building of the development would cause high levels of lorry traffic and we have strong doubts as to whether the standard of road metalling in this private road is high enough to prevent serious damage.

4. We see that the distance to the strategic road network (presumably at the junction of Eastwood Rise and Rayleigh Road in the Southend-on-Sea Unitary Authority area) is rated at 5 (best). This is obviously correct in a basic geographical sense - half a mile at most, but attention must be focussed on the already very congested nature of this junction. The south end of Eastwood Rise, in particular, is used for delivery vehicle and shoppers' parking and the parking of vehicles in the bay in the Rayleigh direction of Rayleigh Road obscures a clear view in a manner which is frequently dangerous. Heavy construction traffic turning into Eastwood Rise at this junction would be extremely dangerous as would the increased traffic from twenty houses after completion of the promoted development.

5. Traffic flows on the Rayleigh/Eastwood Road are already very high especially at the Progress Road junction, Jones's Corner and Rochford Corner. Increased congestion and accident risk on what is probably the main link between Rayleigh and Rochford would be unavoidable given the practical impossibility of improving this road.

6. A route along Gravel road, Wren Avenue, Green lane and Western Approaches is already being used as an alternative by drivers between Rayleigh and Southend and Rochford to avoid congestion on the Rayleigh Road. Gardens on Gravel Road are quite small and there is a lot of on-street parking so that traffic flow can be single lane over quite long distances. Heavier traffic on this road, which passes very close to two primary schools, would make it even more dangerous than it is now.

7. We also note that your assessment of the impact of this promoted development on Greenbelt land, landscape etc., is toward the worst end of your scale. This is already an overdeveloped area close to Edwards Hall park and Cherry Orchard Jubilee Park. We feel that housing development, and this also applies to some other promoted areas on your map, close to these valuable amenities would be to the great detriment of the whole area and detract from the beneficial and much valued aspects of these parks.

8. We understand that new housing is required, although at a national level there must be alternatives to cramming so much of it into the home counties. However our preference is for small number of larger developments (like that adjacent to Hall Road, Rochford) as with these the necessary road infrastructure and amenities such as schools, doctors' surgeries etc., can be provided. This, surely has to be preferable to a number of small 'fill in' estates like that being promoted for Sandhill Road.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43573

Received: 31/08/2021

Respondent: Mr K Layzell

Representation Summary:

Infrastructure
Specifically, the network of minor local roads in the District would be impacted especially at Spa Junction, where the queues, congestion and pollution at peak times are already unacceptable.
Within a region bordered by water on three sides it would seem entirely logical that housing development must be concentrated at the open western end where there is access to the major strategic toad network. Historically, before they were merged, Rayleigh had an URBAN town council and Rochford a RURAL one, reflecting the differences in the two areas regarding housing development.

Full text:

CFS023

I wish to record my objection to the proposal to develop this site for housing on the grounds I will set out in this letter.

Services
It would be detrimental to the standard of living of existing residents. Further pressure would be put on doctor's and hospital appointments, school places etc., with no plans in place to deal with these matters.

Infrastructure
Specifically, the network of minor local roads in the District would be impacted especially at Spa Junction, where the queues, congestion and pollution at peak times are already unacceptable.
Within a region bordered by water on three sides it would seem entirely logical that housing development must be concentrated at the open western end where there is access to the major strategic toad network. Historically, before they were merged, Rayleigh had an URBAN town council and Rochford a RURAL one, reflecting the differences in the two areas regarding housing development.

Green Belt
The site is designated Green Belt and should remain so. It more than justifies contribution to one of the principle stated functions of Green Belt. The 'exceptional circumstances' do not exist for it to be reclassified. The site makes a vital contribution to the wildlife living in the adjoining Ancient Woodland. Many creatures that live in the Wood visit the site on a daily basis in their search for food.
Witness the Green Woodpecker on the ground with its long tongued beak probing for ants, the Kestrel hovering above looking for rodents below or the silent majestic flight of the Barn owl as it quarters the site at dawn or dusk as it searches for a vole. The Wood and this site are interdependent on one another. Destruction of one would downgrade the environmental worth of the other.
When housing was granted for Malvern Road in the seventies, the planners had refused planning permission closer to the Wood as they had the forethought to realise the importance of this site as a buffer to protect the Ancient Woodland to the north for its visual amenity as well as not to put a disturbing pressure on this sensitive environmental site.

Archaeology
Although of course it is impossible to prove, local legend has it that the burials following the Battle of Assundune took place here.

Flooding
Although in an elevated position, the site as a rapid 'run off' following periods of heavy rain which does result in temporarily flooded gardens.

Impact and Intrusion
Because the site has an elevated position, development would overlook and severely intrude on the existing properties to the south.

Summary
For the reasons I have given, which generally follow Rochford Council's assessment of the site CFS023, I would urge you to reject the proposal to include this site for housing in the New Local Plan.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43599

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Norman Bright

Representation Summary:

If you have to build it needs to be somewhere north of the district near the A127 or rail links – not in a village or where roads cannot already cope (can cannot be improved)

Full text:

The maps were misleading – they overlap each other and the name of ‘stonebridge and sutton’ includes parts of Great Wakering and Barling yet there was a separate map? So my comments refer to both these areas as a whole:

Roads cannot cope as it is – even if you built a larger or new road the country lanes will still have an increase in traffic which they cannot already cope with. Cars are often in ditches and that is now so would only get worse. Heavy lorries cause blocked roads so emergency vehicles often have trouble getting in and out of the village.

Sutton road is gridlocked every day most of the day so totally unsuitable for any more development. The chaos and disruption the barrow hall estate has on residents already.
In 1953 wakering was flooded – this will happen again, and will increase with global warming so unsuitable for development. Many homes here suffer already from surface water flooding and if more development were to come forward this will only get worse.

Loss of open space, increase in poor air quality, loss of wildlife, impact on eco-system, loss of farmland (at a time when we may need more local produce) loss of farming employment.

More people will mean more crime, more anti-social behaviour, more noise, more car emissions which will all have a negative impact on residents and their health.
If you have to build it needs to be somewhere north of the district near the A127 or rail links – not in a village or where roads cannot already cope (can cannot be improved)

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43653

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Abbie Francis

Representation Summary:

My suggestions would be that the council builds all new housing for this area within one location, possibly North of Southend where they could also consider including a school. Southend also has better transport links with two main railway lines going into the area and more bus routes available. This has been done at Beaulieu Park near Chelmsford which also now has a new school from preschool age up to secondary school and I believe will have a train station added in the future. This area is much larger than Hullbridge and can accommodate such development.

Full text:

Re: Consultation on New Local Plan Spatial Options

I am writing to you to give my feedback on the new local plans for Hullbridge and the surrounding areas.

I have been a resident of Hullbridge for over twenty years and in this time have seen lots of change and development not only to Hullbridge but to the surrounding areas, but during this time have not seen many changes or upgrades to the local infrastructure.

I believe building more houses within Hullbridge would cause a negative impact to our village and our way of life, as follow:

• There will be more harm to the green belt land in our area, which should stay as green belt and be protected for future generations.
• More properties will be at risk of flooding and draining risks, and by 2040 Hullbridge will have a significant proportion of the village below sea level
• The impact on natural habitats of wild animals and birds being reduced or even lost
• The lack of accessible open spaces and amenities for people of all ages
• Loss of footpaths or bridleways which many people in Hullbridge and surrounding areas currently enjoy and use
• Only the First Bus group operates a bus service out of Hullbridge, which is the number 20 and only runs every 15 minutes. This was recently confirmed by a First Bus Group representative in an interview with the Echo Newspaper. If the bus is delayed or cancelled, which can happen and result in delays to people’s journeys. First Group have recently withdrawn the school bus service to Sweyne Park School. This has caused lots of problems and has had a detrimental impact to children/families that rely on this service and resulted in more traffic on the roads due to parents having to take their children to school. Surely this is not good for air pollutions within the area.
• The existing community infrastructure needs to be considered, with poor road links within the area and only one main road in and out of Hullbridge (Hullbridge Road/Lower Road). When these roads are restricted due to road works or quite recently where Hullbridge Road was partly closed completely due to a sink hole in the road and also Watery Lane being closed due to maintenance, the only way out of Hullbridge was via Hockley which caused chaos in both areas and resulted in long delays. People struggle to easily get doctor’s appointments at the local surgery. The school in Hullbridge has had to increase the yearly intake to accommodate new children moving into the area and local children are not always able to get a place within the school. Hullbridge only has one small play park for the children to use, whereas other areas have larger play areas and more leisure facilities.
• Due to the number of new houses already being built it now takes over 20 minutes to get out of Hullbridge either along The Hullbridge Road/Rawreth Lane or Watery Lane. The same applies in the evening when the traffic queues are just as long.
• The preservation of our rural coastal village outlook will be lost.

I believe by not building these houses in the Hullbridge, you will preserve our natural wildlife sites, local geological sites, and sites of specific scientific interest i.e., Hullbridge Meadows and Hullbridge Foreshores.

Over development of this area, has not only impacted residences of Hullbridge, but surroundings area as well. It is well known that roads such as London Road in Rayleigh and Crown Hill in Rayleigh are heavily congested at certain points during the day and at the weekend and trying to get through Rayleigh to Rayleigh Weir or back from the Rayleigh Weir to Rayleigh High Street at the weekend is awful and as my point above mentions is not good for air pollution within this area.

My suggestions would be that the council builds all new housing for this area within one location, possibly North of Southend where they could also consider including a school. Southend also has better transport links with two main railway lines going into the area and more bus routes available. This has been done at Beaulieu Park near Chelmsford which also now has a new school from preschool age up to secondary school and I believe will have a train station added in the future. This area is much larger than Hullbridge and can accommodate such development.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43673

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Katie Williams

Number of people: 2

Representation Summary:

I am aware of the government agreement to build houses across a number of councils in England, however there ARE more options available to you than those outlined in your Spatial Options Plan.

Rayleigh is a very very busy town, with a small high street, one main car park and small roads with off street parking. Traffic is awful. There are two drs surgery’s, both of which are extremely over subscribed. The town is NOT big enough to hold more housing and infrastructure. Even if more shops or surgery’s were built, how do the roads cope?

There is a better option, by building housing developments on outskirts of town, where the roads are larger and less travelled and there is much more space to develop housing.

In addition to this, your proposed options are amongst densely inhabited wildlife areas, close to Hockley Woods. Many birds and other animals have made home here and you would be destroying their habitat. Many of these habitat thrive on the outskirts of woodland, where do you expect them to go when you build of their land!?

Building as proposed on the outskirts of town, means that you are far less likely to be billing on their habitat. There is little to no woodland between Southend and Rayleigh and that around Rawreth too.

Please Reconsider your plans to build
On your proposed sites and consider larger, more sustainable new villages instead.

Full text:

I am writing to you to STRONGLY oppose the planning options for the houses across the green land (specifically, green space and farmland) around Rayleigh.

I am aware of the government agreement to build houses across a number of councils in England, however there ARE more options available to you than those outlined in your Spatial Options Plan.

Rayleigh is a very very busy town, with a small high street, one main car park and small roads with off street parking. Traffic is awful. There are two drs surgery’s, both of which are extremely over subscribed. The town is NOT big enough to hold more housing and infrastructure. Even if more shops or surgery’s were built, how do the roads cope?

There is a better option, by building housing developments on outskirts of town, where the roads are larger and less travelled and there is much more space to develop housing.

In addition to this, your proposed options are amongst densely inhabited wildlife areas, close to Hockley Woods. Many birds and other animals have made home here and you would be destroying their habitat. Many of these habitat thrive on the outskirts of woodland, where do you expect them to go when you build of their land!?

Building as proposed on the outskirts of town, means that you are far less likely to be billing on their habitat. There is little to no woodland between Southend and Rayleigh and that around Rawreth too.

Please Reconsider your plans to build
On your proposed sites and consider larger, more sustainable new villages instead.

Comment

New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021

Representation ID: 43682

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Jenny Gamble

Representation Summary:

I received a leaflet through our door from the Liberal Democrats on the issue of a garden village. I do not know a great deal about their plan but, on the face of it, this seems that it should be a consideration.

Full text:

I live at number [redacted] Spring Gardens, Rayleigh, SS6 7DQ and would like to comment upon the plan. I understand that I am a few hours late and apologise for this; I had wanted to provide my comments but got stuck in traffic for most of the afternoon in both the Southend and Rayleigh area. I hope you will accept my comments.

The plot that I wish to comment upon in particular is CFS077, Land to the north of Great Wheatley Road, Rayleigh. Number 47 Spring Gardens is situated on the corner of Spring Gardens and Poyntens which would be the access road for the plot.

1. (a) The first point I raise relates to the traffic, parked cars and narrow road access in this area. I attach photos showing 2 cars trying to drive in opposite directions just a few weeks ago, taken when I was out walking. This was actually a good day for parked cars when there weren’t that many around. The burgundy Fiesta in the picture had to reverse all the way back up the road to allow the other through. When there are many cars parked and also many cars trying to drive up and down the road (such as a school morning) this creates havoc. On some days it is almost impossible to leave my home in the car in any event, without adding (a) a construction site where articulated lorries will be driving up and down and needing access via Poyntens and then (b) a housing estate with potentially 263 houses where the majority of people will have at least 2 cars meaning an additional 526 cars to get in and out of Poyntens.

(b) This is also extremely dangerous as emergency vehicles would not stand a chance of being able to access anyone down our road in an emergency, potentially costing lives.

(c) Again very recently, there have been works being carried out at the top end of Spring Gardens where our part of the road meets the other part of Spring Gardens leading onto Love Lane. The road was closed but many cars chose to drive on the pavement to get through quicker. Works like this would create chaos with articulated lorries and the eventual additional 526 cars having to go down Love Lane instead and then up via Highmead.

(d) Further on the same point, when other works were carried out in the same place, the road was not shut but was so narrow that every car had to drive on the pavement to get round the corner. This would make a complete mess of the road and pavement if lorries are doing this.

(e) The pot holes in this area are terrible as it is and further works vehicles would render the road virtually undriveable given months of work and then the additional cars.

2. The second point I wish to address is in relation to wildlife. I attach photos of buzzards flying above our house and a woodpecker in our garden. We regularly have several slow worms and gold finches in our garden too and can provide photos if you’d like. Destroying their habitat to make room for houses will mean losing much of our wildlife in this area and is not something to be condoned.

3. There is then the general issue of lack of schools , doctors etc for a further 263 households of, likely, 4 people. It is virtually impossible to make an appointment at Audley Mills surgery which is where most people would register. To see a doctor one must walk up to the surgery at 6.30am to queue for opening at 7am when you can hope to get lucky and make an appointment. This leaves the poor unfortunate people with a sick child at home who are unable to get out to make the appointment with the worst chance of being able to secure that appointment. An already farcical situation would be made much worse unless more facilities are built immediately to cope with the influx of people.

4. A final point to make is the regular flooding of Poyntens. I do not know whether this is due to poor drainage or burst water mains (such as this week on Spring Gardens) but the prospect of flooding, works vehicles for the construction site, works vehicles to fix the flooding issue and a good deal of extra people and cars on a school morning is ridiculous.

I received a leaflet through our door from the Liberal Democrats on the issue of a garden village. I do not know a great deal about their plan but, on the face of it, this seems that it should be a consideration.

I could elaborate on all of these points but I am aware that I am already late in submitting my points and sincerely hope you will accept them.