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Plans for 600 homes win council’s approval

10:00am Monday 23rd January 2012 in Rayleigh / Rochford By Emma Thomas

Campaigner – Brian Martin, with the development site in background Campaigner – Brian Martin, with the development site in background

CONTROVERSIAL plans for 600 homes and a new primary school in Rochford have been given the go-ahead.

More than 100 people packed out Rochford’s council chamber as the proposals for the development on fields off Hall Road, Rochford, were discussed.

Councillors overwhelmingly voted in favour of the plans, despite passionate objections from residents.

Campaigner Brian Martin, from the West Rochford Action Group set up to oppose the plans, said the decision was a nightmare come true.

He said: “Talking to the council was like talking to a brick wall.

“But we are not finished and we are not giving up the fight.

“We will take it all the way to communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles.”

Among Mr Martin’s concerns is the increased volume of cars travelling along the road, which goes under a bridge into Hall Road.

He added: “Traffic is going to be hell, it is bad enough now.”

The council’s housing blueprint states there has to be 600 homes built in West Rochford before 2021. Officers said because of this, if they refused the plans, developers Bellway Homes could appeal and would probably get the decision overturned.

The outline plans do not include specific details, so it is not clear how many bedrooms the houses will have or what they will look like. However, it has been confirmed the development will include a bus route through the site, 574 houses and 27 flats, plus a public park.

Ian Croxford, who lives in Hall Road, spoke at the meeting on behalf of the West Rochford Action Group. He said the area was already too clogged up with cars and there was no room to improve the roads and therefore accommodate the extra traffic.

He said: “The objections we make are not nimby objections. We appreciate and accept our district must evolve and grow.

“In deciding on this application I would respectfully suggest avoid the easy option. If there is going to be growth it has to be done in a careful way. Hall Road is already, at peak times, over capacity.”

However, councillors voted 19 to eight to approve the plans.

The developers are now expected to come back with more detailed plans soon.

Comments(22)

geezer, innit says...
10:59am Mon 23 Jan 12

bliimey! they've included a school in the plans. Bit forward thinking that, innit?

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APR says...
11:51am Mon 23 Jan 12

That probably means another school will close.

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Eutraveller says...
1:38pm Mon 23 Jan 12

Rochford main roads are blocked every day, and grind to a halt on dustbin days.

600 new homes another 1200 or more cars, all trying to get through Rochford, Rayleigh and tesco roundabout onto the A127

It is a nonsense to allow large developments in SE Essex without first building a motorway class of road from bournes green linking Southend, rochford and Rayleigh etc to the M25.

Well we have to drive, it's expensive but cheaper than trains, there's another reason not to build !

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SARFENDMAN says...
3:40pm Mon 23 Jan 12

Why build houses on top quality agricultural land added too the fact that its green belt. RDC have lost the plot with this one.

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stonybrig says...
4:25pm Mon 23 Jan 12

I agree we need the housing,,But to put them on Hall Rd is mental The traffic cant cope in this area already 6oo homes will add about 900+ cars as a lot of families need 2 cars,, another school will be a nightmare,with parents who use cars for school run,,there is THREE primary schools within a mile of the proposed site
and they all add to hold ups in the morning & afternoon
RDC need to get there heads out of there rsoles and LOOK AGAIN

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paulzone says...
7:49pm Mon 23 Jan 12

What about plans to build on Fambridge Mill site.. A new pub will be needed !

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Hullbridge Resident says...
8:48am Tue 24 Jan 12

I didn't think there were government targets to build a number of new homes every year.

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Hullbridge Resident says...
8:50am Tue 24 Jan 12

http://morerochford.
blogspot.com/

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cape horn says...
10:39am Tue 24 Jan 12

Rochford residents, just remember this next time the brick walls are up for election, get them out. They are there to represent you. Southend hospital will not be expanded to cater for another 1200+ people, and where is everbody going to work?

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Hullbridge Resident says...
11:29am Tue 24 Jan 12

At the new estuary airport! haha

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Grumpy2 says...
8:38am Thu 26 Jan 12

Typical biased reporting from the Echo.
"Councillors overwhelmingly voted in favour of the plans, despite passionate objections from residents."
The residents were there in support of their ward councillors, who fought their case. Getting several of their other members to vote against the application.Nothing stated in there about that is there. Not sexy enough for the paper I suppose.

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Hullbridge Resident says...
9:37am Thu 26 Jan 12

Core Strategy Update - Rochford District Council - has now received a legal challenge to its Core Strategy regarding land at Coombes Farm.

The legal challenge has been brought by Cogent Land LLP, who are seeking to quash certain policies namely; H1, H2, H3 and paragraphs 4.1 to 4.31 in the Core Strategy which relate to Housing. The rest of the Core Strategy is unaffected by this challenge. Until the challenge is determined, the whole of the Core Strategy has full effect as adopted.

Rural Rochford will be no more..... all please check out RDC website. What with Hall Road, Coombes Farm and the Christmas Tree Farm - what is RDC thinking of! Please also see http://morerochford.
blogspot.com/

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robb789 says...
5:22pm Thu 26 Jan 12

My heart bleeds for those Hall Road Residents in their large mansions with the "Keep the Peasants Out" Signs out the front of the house. I almost shed a tear once when i went past!!!

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Seasider90 says...
5:51pm Thu 26 Jan 12

The most overcrowded country in Europe and one of the most overcrowded in the world has to put the influx of European citizens (as many as want to come to live here can) plus all the immigrants from outside Europe. Dont worry about your kids ever getting near the queue for social housing, hospital waiting lists and jobs though - not a chance. I cannot believe how blinkered everyone is. The whole of the South-East will be concreted over - fact. Get used to it. And a number of these people will move from London to make room for more immigrants. Best get out the mats for the next wave of social problems just around the corner. And if you're really concerned get elected as an independent or join a political party (forget Labour, Lib and Tory) who will actually put people first. And dont anyone tell me that housing is for locals. Look in the paper there's flats for rent everywhere. Welcome to South Essex - squeezed in like rats in a cage but dont worry everyone someone is making a very FAT profit.

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freemason says...
11:36pm Thu 26 Jan 12

Its 2012 about time the snobs in our society realised that because the low lifes are coming to a town near you.

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Hullbridge Resident says...
8:30am Fri 27 Jan 12

I think some people are missing the point..........take photographs and videos of Rochford and it's lovely surroundings before it's too late.

Open space is disappearing fast.......as Seasider90 says - how blinkered everyone seems to be, just drifting along..........

Do we really want to be surrounded by concrete - think about it!

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Broadwaywatch says...
1:59pm Fri 27 Jan 12

Hullbridge Resident wrote:
I think some people are missing the point..........take photographs and videos of Rochford and it's lovely surroundings before it's too late.

Open space is disappearing fast.......as Seasider90 says - how blinkered everyone seems to be, just drifting along..........

Do we really want to be surrounded by concrete - think about it!
My thoughts also. Look what SBC let happen to Eastwood.
RDC are no better, except they did create the open space west of Cherry Orchard, credit where its due. Get photo's while we can. Hall Road has a lovely bend in it at the moment.....get a picture of it with the tall trees and open fields beyond. Eastwood had many lovely lanes when I was a boy and field upon field to Rochford and further.

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gangsta len says...
7:39pm Sat 28 Jan 12

Time to move out of here. The place is being ruined more every day. Rochford will soon be a sprawling mess.

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Audioman says...
11:38am Sun 29 Jan 12

Gosh only 600 homes,thay should build 100's more.It would make anice new town which is what we want.
House's all the way from Southend
to London it makes sense not to do so
but leave STOCk and WICKFORD alone

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listen2me says...
12:22pm Mon 30 Jan 12

Isn't it great. For once it is not Basildon getting pooped on with new housing estates.
Thank heavens the insane brigade has moved away and decided to build on anothers plaine.

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Hullbridge Resident says...
2:09pm Mon 30 Jan 12

http://morerochford.
blogspot.com/ see this site too on Coombes Farm update and how you can register comments to Rochford District Council.

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Hullbridge Resident says...
8:50am Tue 31 Jan 12

Also is everyone aware about the proposed breakers yard at South Fambridge?

http://www.gopetitio
n.com/petitions/supp
ort-south-fambridge-
stop-car-breakers-ya
rd.html

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