Plans submitted for 265 homes on Jotmans green belt in Benfleet

6:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Local News

Under threat - Jotmans Farm off Jotmans Lane, Benfleet Under threat - Jotmans Farm off Jotmans Lane, Benfleet

GREEN belt campaigners have vowed to fight plans to build up to 265 homes in their leafy neighbourhood.

Persimmon Homes has submitted proposals on behalf of company Charles Church to develop on green belt land south of Jotmans Lane, Benfleet after holding a two-day exhibition on the application last November.

The developer claims 12 years worth of affordable housing could be provided on the 35-acre site.

However residents are determined to preserve the green fields and will be distributing 5,000 leaflets in the area to boost opposition.

Susan Buhr, 73, of Jotmans Lane, Benfleet, who is member of the Save Jotmans Farm campaign group, said: “We will continue to fight these types of proposals for as long as developers submit them because ultimately they will affect our way of life.

“The trouble is people think this will not happen and they can just let someone else do it, but if you feel strongly about it you have got to stand up and be accounted for.”
 

Detailed plans were revealed to the public at two-day exhibition at Richmond Hall, off the High Road, last year, offering residents the chance to voice their concerns.
 

Residents fear it could be the tip of the iceberg as the site had been earmarked for 600 homes under Castle Point Council's former local plan which was scrapped in September 2011.

A final decision on the proposals will be made by the council’s development control committee in the next few months.

A spokesman for Charles Church said: “There is a desperate shortage of new homes being built locally and people of all ages are struggling to get on the housing ladder.
 

“Our proposals are for a range and mixture of both private and affordable homes on land to the south of Jotmans Lane, helping to fill this shortfall, boost the local economy and provide much needed jobs. We want to help people achieve their ambition of owning a home.”

Comments(25)

Eric the Red says...
7:02pm Wed 6 Mar 13

A spokeman for Charles Church said "We want make a lot of money destroying another section of the greenbelt. We don't give a stuff about the locals, or their economy, or their quality of life. When we're finished there, we'll move on and trash another area".

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supermadmax says...
7:11pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Made my day that has, I hope they house lots of council tenants being moved from London boroughs there.

Benfleet have had it to easy for to long & look down there noses at canvey to southend, to grays.

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the citizen says...
7:15pm Wed 6 Mar 13

And behold...lots of comments were subsequently made by people whose nearby houses were also previously built on fields and woodland before it became an issue. But that was then when it was ok, but this is now and it isn't ok any more. But alas back in that time the rich powerful developers (boo & hiss) were able to ride roughshod over the yocals, because these downtrodden peasants had no houses to live in and were not as powerful as the big developer barons. However, in the fullness of time many people were able to buy these houses and although the fields did cry, no-one listened. But then the owners of these houses did complain when the next generation wanted somewhere to live. "Not In My Back Yard!" they all cried.

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GentleGiant says...
7:32pm Wed 6 Mar 13

This is good news for Benfleet. So it is a few fields - most of Benfleet was just fields a few years ago.

This really makes very little difference to the amount of green space in the area.

I have spoken to several of my neighbours in Benfleet, and I have yet to find one person who is against it.

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upset says...
7:46pm Wed 6 Mar 13

The above comments are much on the same lines as I have been putting forward, only to be shouted down and called a Tory support and worst by one, for not attending a meeting. So wait for the usual, I am all right jack residents, who have moved into houses that were built on what was once green spaces.
I am sure they will continue with their NIMBY approach to life.

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supershrimper says...
7:55pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Presumably it will be rejected on the basis that this is a private enterprise and Havens Hospice was not allowed to build a peaceful home in which ill people could spend the last of their days...

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Carnabackable says...
9:20pm Wed 6 Mar 13

This is a Fantastic idea, great location for some serious multi occupancy flats.

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Carnabackable says...
9:24pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Hackney and Lewisham Councils have been showing a keen interest, in this sort of build...

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jolllyboy says...
10:06pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Builders and councils will not be happy until every spot is built on between Gt Wakering to the City. We already have to pay to visit some parks by car - what next ? how about instead of building these expensive houses build some for those that need them at low prices or renting.

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southchurchroad says...
9:01am Thu 7 Mar 13

More homes! More homes! More homes!

Infrastructure? Don't make me laugh, we don't get bribes for that!

-Every council, ever.

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benfleet101 says...
10:30am Thu 7 Mar 13

GentleGiant wrote:
This is good news for Benfleet. So it is a few fields - most of Benfleet was just fields a few years ago.

This really makes very little difference to the amount of green space in the area.

I have spoken to several of my neighbours in Benfleet, and I have yet to find one person who is against it.
How exactly is this good news?Interesting what part of Benfleet you live in. You obviously have not attended any of the exhibitions or the Council meetings regarding the above.The residents of Jotmans, Gelbelands, Catherine Road and Bowers Road all have extemley large campaign groups against the planning applications for various large developments that have recently raised their heads in Benfleet.

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perini says...
12:55pm Thu 7 Mar 13

A spokesman for Charles Church said: “There is a desperate shortage of new homes being built locally and people of all ages are struggling to get on the housing ladder.
..and of course Charles Church will build affordabe 'first time buyer' homes. Dream on!! Anyway, it's the lack of money being lent without ridiculous deposits that is stalling the market, not a lack of houses for sale!

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Cosmo Spring says...
1:34pm Thu 7 Mar 13

that'd make a great site for a big traveller permanent encampment if people don't want houses there....

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barneydrop says...
4:37pm Thu 7 Mar 13

More homes in Benfleet is just what is needed. Especially with the backhanders we councillors get for making sure plans go ahead.
I'm looking forward to several thousands of pounds appearing in my bank account once the planning permission goes through, also plenty of Caribbean holidays!

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whataday says...
5:54pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Eric the Red wrote:
A spokeman for Charles Church said "We want make a lot of money destroying another section of the greenbelt. We don't give a stuff about the locals, or their economy, or their quality of life. When we're finished there, we'll move on and trash another area".
Absolutely correct Eric the Red.

Why don't these bl---- developers understand that green belt land is called that for a reason. Its not there as an invitation for greedy developers to buy up land cheaply and concrete all over it. Why don't the developers concentrate on buying up land which is meant to be built on i.e. previous housing sites which have become obsolete or brown sites.
If developers are going to be allowed to build on Green Belt they should be forced to provide things for the local community before they are allowed to start building e.g. hospitals, doctors surgeries, schools, community centres, shops, parks with wide open spaces. They won't keep trashing green belt land then.

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Seasider90 says...
6:30pm Thu 7 Mar 13

When oh when will people wake up. There is a shortage of housing due to the large influx of immigration thanks to our EU masters. The whole of the South East will be one big concrete slab. Forget countryside - ok you might get a few token woods like Hockley woods which is needed for a dog toilet but hey you idiots voted for the Tories, Libs and Labour so what do you expect? And when London moves it's tenants into these houses the social problems follow. God help Benfleet - better start learning African, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian and Bulgarian. Still, look on the bright side - there will be loads of new takeaways and restaurants. The EU and their British political puppets laughing at you because you VOTED for them.

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John T Pharro says...
6:51pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Carnabackable wrote:
This is a Fantastic idea, great location for some serious multi occupancy flats.
And there was me thinking you only dislike people on Canvey! You don't like anyone except people in Rayleigh who live on a hill and drive a 4x do you?

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John T Pharro says...
6:59pm Thu 7 Mar 13

benfleet101 wrote:
GentleGiant wrote:
This is good news for Benfleet. So it is a few fields - most of Benfleet was just fields a few years ago.

This really makes very little difference to the amount of green space in the area.

I have spoken to several of my neighbours in Benfleet, and I have yet to find one person who is against it.
How exactly is this good news?Interesting what part of Benfleet you live in. You obviously have not attended any of the exhibitions or the Council meetings regarding the above.The residents of Jotmans, Gelbelands, Catherine Road and Bowers Road all have extemley large campaign groups against the planning applications for various large developments that have recently raised their heads in Benfleet.
But did not support the residents of Canvey with similar concerns. However, all the CIP Councillors voted against green belt development on the mainland and you work out which Councillors voted the Canvey developments through and those on greenbelt on the mainland. Think when you put your next x. There are those who want more of the party that voted these through based on the view that way you would get more opposition to these developments unwanted by local residents. Anyone who holds that view care to explain how?

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Carnabackable says...
8:53pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Thorney Bay, will soon be on their lists, up in London, an ideal little village for the London migrating folk..

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Samantha H says...
2:48am Fri 8 Mar 13

LOL!! All those that think it's ok?? Not a problem? Leave Benfleet and live somewhere completely different for 20 years... You might want to sign that petition. GREENBEEEEELT!! And LOW COST HOUSING??? I researched and found PLENTY of flats and houses for VERY fair prices... Come on.. we all know who and what's coming!! And hello? Is anyone going to improve the infrastructure first? Of course not.... You better stick together and support eachother, otherwise that nice town will soon be in the toilet along with MANY MANY other communities. Trust me.. I know. Seasider hit the nail on the head.

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YLF1992 says...
2:34pm Fri 8 Mar 13

This is a great idea.. End of the day everyone needs somewhere to live! since the council can no longer house everyone (I might add people that are against this probably have relatives in council homes) so due to the shortage we need to home ourselves and since that doesnt come cheap anymore new builds is the only way to do this as you can get low deposits, Just because all the people that are against this have a roof over there head they dont care about the people trying to get on to the property ladder. People need to stop being so busy and think about all the people this would benefit. rant over.

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John T Pharro says...
4:56pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Carnabackable wrote:
Thorney Bay, will soon be on their lists, up in London, an ideal little village for the London migrating folk..
They have their eye on Rayleigh to. They are more comfortable living on hills. I have heard they target 4x as well.

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Carnabackable says...
10:11am Sun 10 Mar 13

Sorry, living in a grand listed building, as do my neighbours, we're pretty untouchable, which is why my garage is a building built in 1830, takes the Touareg, and my other classics with ease, when you live in Rayleigh, life is uncomplicated, and on a hill, allows you to look down, at the other side of life..

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Carnabackable says...
12:48pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Samantha H wrote:
LOL!! All those that think it's ok?? Not a problem? Leave Benfleet and live somewhere completely different for 20 years... You might want to sign that petition. GREENBEEEEELT!! And LOW COST HOUSING??? I researched and found PLENTY of flats and houses for VERY fair prices... Come on.. we all know who and what's coming!! And hello? Is anyone going to improve the infrastructure first? Of course not.... You better stick together and support eachother, otherwise that nice town will soon be in the toilet along with MANY MANY other communities. Trust me.. I know. Seasider hit the nail on the head.
I thinks a grand idea, good for Benfleet to have a kick up the Ar5E, then we can liken it to Tarpots and Canvey

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John T Pharro says...
5:02pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Carnabackable wrote:
Sorry, living in a grand listed building, as do my neighbours, we're pretty untouchable, which is why my garage is a building built in 1830, takes the Touareg, and my other classics with ease, when you live in Rayleigh, life is uncomplicated, and on a hill, allows you to look down, at the other side of life..
A Touareg is not a classic. The travellers love fields and open gates so be careful. I would absolutely hate you to have a visit from them. I doubt if most people believe you anyway. All the wealthy people I know don't boast about it.

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