Concerns over lack of infrastructure and loss of Essex farmland lead to opposition to 300 home Rochford plans
Campaigners and councillors have are opposing plans for 300 homes
Plans for hundreds of homes will see “permanent and irreversible harm” to Essex farmland, campaigners say. Residents and councillors slammed plans by Bellway Homes for 300 homes off Victory Lane, Rochford. The plans include more than £2.6million in financial contributions for education, health and other services.
A decision on the plans was deferred at the development committee on Thursday, January 29. The meeting saw a “terrific attendance” from residents and heard how the development will “worsen safety risks.”
Mr Harrison, a worried resident, told the committee it would create “permanent and irreversible harm.” He added: “This is inappropriate development in the green belt. Up to 300 homes here would permanently remove open countryside on the edge of Ashingdon. This is textbook encroachment, directly undermining the green belt’s purpose. The harm is not outweighed by claimed benefits.” His speech was met by loud applause and cheers from residents at the meeting.
The plans include 50 per cent affordable housing and include one, two, three and four bedroom homes. The development is also set to see a zebra crossing in Brays Lane. The large number of residents attending meant there was “hardly room for the councillors to have a chair”, with residents and campaigners bursting into loud applause at various points.
Danielle Belton, the Conservative leader of the council, also raised concerns. She added: “We cannot accept developments on the basis of it should be fine, when residents already sit in traffic queues, battle junction delays and feel the safety risks rising as the networks becomes overloaded. Adding 300 houses without guaranteed delivery of infrastructure is not planning it’s gambling.”
A spokesman for Bellway Homes said: “The plans will deliver high-quality sustainable development that has been shaped by detailed discussions with the council officers and extensive engagement with residents and stakeholders. We are all aware of the growing housing need in our area. Families, who are on the councils housing waiting list, are struggling to find affordable homes, young and older people are being priced out. Residents often have to move away from the place they have called home for decades. We can change that tonight.”