Rayleigh / Rochford RSS Feed


Developers bid for new homes on green belt land

DEVELOPERS have put forward formal plans for 326 new homes near the centre of Rochford.

Colonnade Land wants to build the new homes at Coombes Farm, between Stambridge Road, Mornington Avenue and Rocheway, in Rochford, and Mill Lane, Stambridge.

Families living nearby are vehemently against the plans, with one resident describing the scheme as “hare-brained”.

Linzie Banks, 47, of Rectory Road, Rochford, said: “The traffic around Rochford is pretty horrendous anyway, especially around school times, and the schools are all full up as well.

“With the infrastructure of the town as it is, it does make you wonder if we can take that number of new people, for the roads, for the schools, for the town as a whole.

“I think it’s a shame to build on farmland. It’s very sad. Are that many new houses really needed in the area?”

One Rocheway resident, who did not want to be named, said: “This is a hare-brained scheme apart from the damage done to the green belt.

“The traffic conditions, both in the town centre and the nearby roads, are already congested and this can make things only a great deal worse.”

The developers held a public exhibition earlier this year at the Rocheway adult education centre to explain their plans.

Now an official application for planning permission has been lodged with Rochford District Council.

David Kavanagh, of Colonnade Land, said: “Our proposals for Coombes Farm include good quality homes with gardens, parking, open spaces and access to Rochford town centre.

“Coombes Farm is well served in terms of public transport links and the site has easy walking and cycling access to local facilities.

“We look forward to discussing with the district council how we could best contribute to the local community and hearing what the council thinks of the proposals.”

Plans have been designed by architects John Thompson and Partners, who are behind the prestigious Kew Riverside development in London.

Comments(2)

SafetySam says...
8:39am Fri 11 Sep 09

No doubt building in Rochford will be allowed by our council regardless of public opinion.
So why dont they put to the developers that
1) They must build a new crossing over the river first to ease traffic problems.
2) All houses must be raised of of the ground by at least 3 metres (as the area is a flood risk).
3) All houses must have gardens at least twice the footpint size of the property.
4) All houses must have a minimum of one garage (proper size to get a car in) plus parking off road for two more cars (no parking to be allowed in the roadway).
I very much expect this will deter any developers at this site.
Too many buildings are being built with inadequate parking, garden space and many people just store rubbish in their garage and park their car(s) in the road.

JamesBowker says...
1:22pm Fri 11 Sep 09

Do not accept as a fait acomplit that this environmentally obscene development will take place. Rochford residents are made of sterner stuff and are already geared up for the battle ahead. The land is green belt with public footpath running through, it is enjoyed and heavily used by residents and visitors. We will ensure our Councillors throw this application out and leave it where it belongs, at the bottom of a great pile of manure. I am sorry that the misguided Developer has wasted money for no return, far better to give to a local cause or charity !

click2find

Most popular


About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree