Allocations Submission Document

Development east of Rochford town centre is ill advised. The area is the only large area of open country in South Essex, an important resource for Rochford and the wider area. It lacks infrastructure, and in particular roads, with a single access to the west, already overloaded. Development here results in excessive car use and long journeys, compared to sites to the west.

In the High Court case of Cogent v Rochford, the LPA defended, successfully, on the basis that development should be located in the west and development to the east is inappropriate. It is inconsistent to now promote development contrary to this successful defence.

Adequate infrastructure, in particular the A127, A130, airport, shops, railways, schools and employment are located in the west of Rochford. This is where new housing and other development should be located, leaving the open and wild eastern area and small settlements to be conserved, promoting small businesses that preserve the traditional rural landscape and promote green tourism. Once it is gone it will never come back. Canewdon specifically will be harmed by development that destroys the view approaching the village, is against the wishes of local people and will put the new residents far from any employment, schools or shops.