Empty homes prove we do not need another 600 (From Echo)

Empty homes prove we do not need another 600

1:35pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Letters

The vote to approve outline planning permission for 600 homes in Hall Road, Rochford, was not exactly overwhelming.

Quite a number of votes opposed it.

Surely councillors are elected to represent the best interests of residents, but it is difficult to see who might benefit from this ghastly development, in a town that is already overexpanded, and with less than adequate traffic flow.

The unanswered question is, who will buy these 600 homes?

There are well over 900 available properties in Rochford, mostly privately owned, almost half of which have been empty for over six months. There seems to be an increasing requirement for rentable property due to mortgage problems, but I imagine the proposed Bellway development would only be for outright sales.

Perhaps it is to accommodate the influx of airport workers – in which case, why not build on the Ekco factory site in Priory Crescent? It would be nearer the airport, and unlikely to get much objection.

Also, why is there any need for a new school when there are, I am told, over 900 available places in Rochford?

Perhaps the most important issue is the potential loss of green belt. A councillor has been quoted as stating this is unavoidable, but does not explain why.

Surely the green belt was established to protect against exactly this kind of thing, and disregarding it would establish a tragic precedent – the proverbial thin end of the wedge.

P Wilcox
Sunnybank Close
Eastwood