Updated: Anger at 1,000 homes plan (From Echo)
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Updated: Anger at 1,000 homes plan
5:00pm Thursday 18th September 2008 in News By Paul Offord
Furious - Olwyn Harris, front, with fellow protesters Buy this photo »
PROTESTERS brought a council meeting to a standstill because they refused to stop heckling councillors as they discussed plans to permit about 1,000 homes to be built on green belt.
More than 100 protesters, carrying yellow banners, reading “Hands off our green belt”, crammed into the public gallery of Castle Point Council chamber, for a cabinet meeting.
They were there to hear leaders of the Conservative-run council discuss the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, which seeks to allocate green belt land across the borough for about 1,000 new homes to be built by 2021.
Several protesters tried to make their views heard, but council rules prevent the public from speaking.
They started heckling the councillors shouting “Why can’t we speak” and “We pay your wages”, which forced the meeting to be adjourned for ten minutes.
Ian Burchill, environment director, the officer behind the local plan, then agreed to answer questions from angry residents outside the meeting in the lobby.
He told them: “There is absolutely no prospect a future Conservative, Liberal or Labour Government will say they won’t build any more houses, because that would lead to people becoming homeless. That means these homes must be built somewhere.”
The Government has ordered the council to allocate land for 4,000 new homes to be built in the borough by 2021.
Most of the protesters came from Daws Heath and were fuming about plans to build 500 homes on protected land, between Daws Heath Road and the A127.
Simon Hart, 44, from Daws Heath, said: “They are basically going to make two towns into one, by joining Rayleigh and Hadleigh through Daws Heath.
“They thought they could get this through without consulting people properly, but now they are being punished for being sneaky.”
Olwyn Harris, 58, also from Daws Heath, said: “A lot of people here think we’ve got something special in Daws Heath. It’s a semi-rural idyll, which would be ruined by these plans.”
The council also wants to allow 500 homes on Canvey, on both sides of Canvey Road and behind Castle View School.
Protesters complained letters on the recent public consultation, held in July and August, were only sent to one household in ten across the borough.
Lea Fountain, council spokeswoman, said the council also held three public exhibitions in Canvey, Benfleet, and Thundersley, and advertised in the local press.
She said: “We are holding a further consultation later this year.”
Comments(36)
The Voice of Reason
says...
8:39am Thu 18 Sep 08
why not build huge ugly tower blocks to allow for the necessary housing - that would go down well i'm sure - at least the protesters will be able to keep the majority of their precious land, while the necessary accomodation will provide magnificent views across the county.
TVoR
Truth
says...
9:30am Thu 18 Sep 08
Doughnut
says...
10:18am Thu 18 Sep 08
Sim0n
says...
10:29am Thu 18 Sep 08
4000 in Castle Point this is Fact .
But where they build them is up for discussion, The council admitted that this Daws Heath Option was the easiest and the Cheapest , but it does also break their own Adopted local Plan (1998) which states Green Belt is to check the sprawl of large built up areas and to PREVENT NEIRBOURING TOWS FROM MERGING INTO ONE ANOTHER.
Stop them doing things on the CHEAP and actually PLAN something properly.
Also there was a complete lack of consultation. Which they conceded to and plan to address with any further plans.
Sim0n
says...
10:31am Thu 18 Sep 08
Sim0n wrote:If you wish to support the action against the Daws Heath Development go to handsoffourgreenbelt
Houses need to be built that is true . 4000 in Castle Point this is Fact .But where they build them is up for discussion, The council admitted that this Daws Heath Option was the easiest and the Cheapest , but it does also break their own Adopted local Plan (1998) which states Green Belt is to check the sprawl of large built up areas and to PREVENT NEIRBOURING TOWS FROM MERGING INTO ONE ANOTHER.Stop them doing things on the CHEAP and actually PLAN something properly.Also there was a complete lack of consultation. Which they conceded to and plan to address with any further plans.
.co.uk
Truth
says...
11:00am Thu 18 Sep 08
resident22
says...
11:31am Thu 18 Sep 08
This is underhand and gets people's backs up immediately. Houses need to be built where there is road capacity to cope and even now the Thundersley area is heaving with traffic at certain times of the day. I know - I queue in it! I am extremely unhappy that Thundersley could lose what little open space it has and none of these plans will add quality of life to the area. It will only be diminished. The anger at the meeting was borne of frustration at how those in power can override public opinion with little consideration for the voice of the people. The plans are so well hidden on the council website that they cannot be found. No good can come of this development, no matter how the council dresses it up.
Sim0n
says...
11:31am Thu 18 Sep 08
jackie123
says...
1:26pm Thu 18 Sep 08
jackie123
says...
1:26pm Thu 18 Sep 08
Curbishly
says...
3:46pm Thu 18 Sep 08
It appears the "Cabinet" and "the Leader" knew but they kept quiet about it.
jetl1970
says...
3:59pm Thu 18 Sep 08
The infrastructure is creaking. The trains are packed, the roads are full as are the schools and many of the other local services. Surely the infrastructure must be incorporated within the plans. Just adding flats or houses only adds to the congestion that whilst currently bearable is getting worse.
It was only a couple of months back when the accident on Canvey caused full grid lock on and off the island (including Sadlers Farm). Any accident in Hadleigh backs up for miles, Rayleigh Road is one huge log jam on occasions.
The problem is always going to be that the roads are controlled by Essex County Council and central Government, whilst housing/planning permission is devolved to local council level, neither are properly coordinated.
acid_jim
says...
4:39pm Thu 18 Sep 08
They were quite happy to see the 60 acres development on Canvey, didn't bat an eyelid when Thorney Bay went for housing, and couldn't give a toss that Canvey needs a third road. But suggest building a few houses somewhere other than on the Island and they’re up in arms. Do they get my sympathy?? Nah.
evilc
says...
5:49pm Thu 18 Sep 08
I know homes are needed but not to the detriment of so many others.
One must ask the question 'why do we need to build so many homes in this part of the country.The answer is simple because the dam government are anti this part of the country.
They must be as there is not even a decent road going into Southend, the train service is Victorian grade.
There is not enough work in this area and we are now facing financial disaster finally we are the most crowded country in Europe NOW OFFICIAL and knowing all these facts what would any sensible Government do, they would think very carefully.
Not Dopey Brown what does his band of social reformers do: they make a bad situation even worse!!
thelonewhinger
says...
5:54pm Thu 18 Sep 08
Doughnut wrote:I totally agree. Castle Point Borough Council are, as usual ,treating their electorate with contempt. We must demand more communication on all issues. Fancy webcasts are just window dressing, let us know what is happening behind the scenes.
Mis-information and rumour is only created by the lack of real information. This issue effects all of us in the area and more people should have been made aware of the full proposals in the first place.
Sim0n
says...
6:38pm Thu 18 Sep 08
Truth wrote:TRUTH
However strongly they held their views, it was wrong to hi-jack the democratice running of the council. Most were unaware of what the Core Strategy said, and had been manipulated by mis-information and rumour. After a lenghty explanation of the issues, most went away satisfied that their fears were unfounded.
Most were not aware of the CORE STRATEGY because there was no consultation so Rumour was the only way they found out. There was NO -MISINFORMATION as we found out and after lengthy explanations we went away SATISFIED THAT OUR CONCERNS WHERE WELL FOUNDED.
By the reaction of the councillors they were aware of the subdifuge and sneaky plans, they had to come clean.
They ADMITTED that this option was the CHEAPEST Option after the other previous 2 prefered options were rejected. TRUTH I THINK YOU MUST HAVE BEEN AT ANOTHER MEETING or a Council STOOGE
Sim0n
says...
6:41pm Thu 18 Sep 08
acid_jim wrote:ACID JIM
Here they all go again!!!They were quite happy to see the 60 acres development on Canvey, didn't bat an eyelid when Thorney Bay went for housing, and couldn't give a toss that Canvey needs a third road. But suggest building a few houses somewhere other than on the Island and they’re up in arms. Do they get my sympathy?? Nah.
We should all stick together ,
didnt know of your campaign .
Doughnut
says...
7:53pm Thu 18 Sep 08
We need to fight this for the future of OUR area (and i'm including Canvey !!).
Sim0n
says...
7:58pm Thu 18 Sep 08
Doughnut wrote:WWW.HANDSOFFOURGREEN
I applaud the 100, or so, campaigners for making a stand.Once one plot of green belt is released in this area, all the property developers will jump on the bandwagon. Let me know where I can sign up !!We need to fight this for the future of OUR area (and i'm including Canvey !!).
BELT.CO.UK
or protest to
planning@castlepoint
.gov.uk
Olwyn
says...
9:02pm Thu 18 Sep 08
Green belt should be used as a last resort yet the Council have failed to provide information about possible brown field sites and the reason for their unsuitabilty. Neither have they provided any maps on their website. No wonder residents have become angry. Walkers, cyclists, riders and even motorists just passing through enjoy this little bit of 'countryside'. Castle Point has some lovely open spaces and ALL building proposals for green belt should be vigorously tested if we are to pass any of them on to future generations.
Knowledge
says...
9:44pm Thu 18 Sep 08
How on this earth can anyone be fooled by council or officers implying that they opted for the cheapest solution. The cheapest solution for all the LDF needs is the Hickfort Idea. It also ticks all the boxes that it has to as dictated by Central Government. Housing needs until 2025, Economic investment & development, regeneration of existing Employment areas, 95% reduction in heavy good traffic thro the residential streets, culminating in reduce congestion at Sadlers & Tarpots. Also removes a shabby and untidy industrial estate, presently backing onto houses & Schools with better working conditions for the workers in the shabby estate. It restricts development in the green belt to one specific area, is fully accessible from Major trunk roads. Reduces pressure to build houses in flood areas (Canvey) finally all paid for by Private Investors.
All this & no disruption to anyone whilst it takes shape over the next decade. Urban sprawl & merging settlements would not happen it would merge & be secured by Roads! Who in their right mind would object to that!
Curbishly
says...
10:18pm Thu 18 Sep 08
Makes you wonder why?
Sim0n
says...
9:19am Fri 19 Sep 08
I asked about the planned A130 A127 ,Manor trading area, I asked the Council planning department and they said the Highways Dept objected as they didnt want access through to the A127 . But Burchill stated it was rejected because of COST.
Doughnut
says...
10:47am Fri 19 Sep 08
thelonewhinger
says...
5:32pm Fri 19 Sep 08
Bottom line is does it make sense to build so many new homes in a place which does not even have a railway station?
Knowledge
says...
10:56pm Fri 19 Sep 08
I have not seen any documents from ECC highways, or the Highways agency, that backs up Mr Birchills claim, Infact if you all think back a few years ago the SEMS (the south East Essex Multimeadial study) actually identified access off the New A130 roundabout, Hence the wide slip Roads, They left the ball in the councils court & as is normal CPBC sat on the fence & lost out in major investment. AS for Doughnut's Comments, the end of the road comming in from the A130 would terminate at what is presently the Manor Trading Estate possibly a new housing area,from that point all manner of traffic restrictors could be put in place. Even down to a barrier that would be activated like a Dart TAG and only let residents who live in that Quarter through. Casual visitor would not use that route to access Hadleigh, Thundersly & Rayleigh anyway.
I know its the Green Belt. The simple facts are we need houses & we need jobs. My Children 24 & 21 are exceptionally lucky they are on the ladder! where are the other 98 in the 100 going to live. Perhaps the environmentalist who object to housing the next generation on the GREEN BELT should think again. Our future thats the 35's & above rely's on our childrens & granchildrens being given a future to start with. THAT BY US
YOU CAN PLANT A TREE YOU CANNOT PLANT A PERSON.
Knowledge
says...
11:04pm Fri 19 Sep 08
Forgot to mention Mr Burchill claimed Costs as a reason to reject the Hickfort Proposal. The Hickfort Idea was to be funded by Private Investors. not local authorities. I am pretty confident that Castle Point including Mr Burchill knew that. again they say a lot but ask for the evidence. If the option was thouroughly discussed the finacial assessment information should be available. would love to see it.
Doughnut
says...
8:32am Sat 20 Sep 08
n't feel bad about being cynical !! I think you've hit the nail on the head. It's politics !! They take you down one path, you kick up a stink and they change it and get what they wanted in the first place.
A prime example is the access gate mentioned by Knowledge. How long would that last until people want it removed. People at woodside certainly would, so they could go straight to the A127, and all those residents in the new estate getting fed up driving all the way round and through Sadlers to get to the station. More gridlock !!
jackie123
says...
12:50pm Sat 20 Sep 08
Knowledge
says...
7:36pm Tue 23 Sep 08
Doughnut, the whole idea would be to allow the people who live in that quater of Benfleet through. the restriction would apply to those who are not resident in the area. it's easily done.
Jackie123 classic response. Have you tried to buy a house in the country lately. where would they work!
jackie123
says...
9:21pm Tue 23 Sep 08
As it happens I go to quite a few places as part of my work and these are some statistics from last week:
Hadleigh to Cambridge, 65 miles away = 1 hour 10 in the rush hour
Hadleigh to Brentwood, 18 miles away = 1 hour 30 in the rush hour
These days you can work most places provided the transport links are good, and increasingly people work from home or from office bases close to home anyway. Country living and finding work is not the issue but volume of traffic, caused by large numbers of people thrown together in a congested areas transport-wise is a different matter altogether
Doughnut
says...
10:12am Thu 25 Sep 08
Once one piece of Green Belt in this area is allowed to be built on, the builders will swoop all over Castle Point. They'll be 6 storey blocks of flats all over and the area will become Basildon New Town Part Deux.
I agree the young people in this area need housing, but this whole idea is to accomodate London overflow. Do you honestly think a builder is going to sell a flat to a young couple from Benfleet for £125k, when people from Stratford etc are prepared to pay £200+ (after being offered £300k to move out of their houses due to the Olympics) ??
oldgeezer
says...
4:05pm Thu 25 Sep 08
Im sickened by this proposal ..to build these people cant see the woods for the trees.
thelonewhinger
says...
4:05pm Thu 25 Sep 08
If we choose the Hickfort plan where do the businesses and the jobs on Manor Trading go? Less employment means more trouble - idle hands make mischief.
Employment and infrastructure first, then homes, should be our aim.
oldgeezer
says...
5:13pm Thu 25 Sep 08
or the Castle point -Dawes Heath plan /because in the long term neither may be right.
My whole family will join the next peacefull protest ..and i urge anyone who cares about the countryside to do the same
oldgeezer
says...
5:13pm Thu 25 Sep 08
or the Castle point -Dawes Heath plan /because in the long term neither may be right.
My whole family will join the next peacefull protest ..and i urge anyone who cares about the countryside to do the same
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