Rochford Core Strategy Development Plan Document - Schedule of Changes

Page 29 - 2.29 "in a sustainable manner"
Page 38 - Objectives "balanced with sustainability conserations and in particular for the environmental constraints in the District"
Page 39 - 4.3 "balanced with sustainability considerations".
In all of the above the mention of sustainability is not achievable with such a large number of new dwellings in Hullbridge (500). Hullbridge has very little employment in the village the majority of residents live but do ot work within the village itself. 63.2% of residents were employed (2001 Census) therefore 4073 people, less those who work in the parish (approximately 120) travel daily to their employment, the majority by private transport. There is already major traffic congestion during commuting hours in Ashingdon, Hockley, Rochford on the roads to Southend, and congestion at Rawreth Lane heading towards the A130 and A127. Watery Lane, which also serves Hullbridge is a winding narrow lane with a 3 ton MGW limit, is used as a "rat run" and would need major work carried out to make it a safe and easy route to the north/west. The amount of affordable housing planned - 35% (around 175 dwellings) is not sustainable due to the fact there is so little employment within walking distance and this would add a further burden for those with restricted incomes. As far as environmental considerations are concerned, not only would the green belt alongside Hullbridge be reduced there would be added air pollution from the additional amount of vehicles being used.
Page 65 - 6.3 the word change from "may" to "are" implies that Rochford DC definitely intends to alter the green belt boundaries to accommodate new dwellings when in other parts of the document it states that it would maintain the green belt as far as practical. It also states the green belt to be released is less than 1% for the whole of the district but the proposal for 500 new dwellings within the Hullbridge green belt is a substantially larger ration for the immediate vicinity of Hullbridge village.