HULLBRIDGE villagers have sent Rochford Council a 45-page letter, objecting to proposals to allow 500 new homes in their village.

Hullbridge Residents’ Association chairman, Brian Carleton, has been campaigning against plans to build the homes, on land west of Malyons Lane, since 2013.

That waswhen he canvassed the village and found 98.5 per cent of residents opposed the proposal.

An outline planning application was submitted in December by Gibraltar-based developer Southern and Regional Developments.

Since then, more than 1,100 comments about the application have been left on the council’s planning website, the vast majority of them objecting to the development.

Mr Carleton said: “This is the best opportunity we have and we have to make hay while the sun shines. I have given the council a lot of things to consider – 45 pages and 185 issues altogether.”

Now his official objection is in, Mr Carleton, a retired chartered surveyor, plans to write individually to district councillors, asking them to refuse the proposals.

The site has already been included in the district’s longterm housing plan, which earmarks possible sites for as many as 2,780 homes on what was previously green belt land between now and 2025.

However, a similar application for 500 homes between London Road and Rawreth Lane was rejected by the council in January.

Ian Ward, councillor responsible for planning, said: “I am very aware of the infrastructure issues and they are part of what needs to be dealt with.

“However, the fact remains the houses will have to go there eventually. We need to make sure we work with the developer and get the best out of the situation.

“We want to get something that it is appropriate and sustainable, rather than have things thrust upon us, which is what would happen if we reject a plan and a developer appeals.”

WHY THEY OPPOSE THEM

  • The plans are development on what was previously classified as green belt land
  • The proportion of threestorey homes proposed would be out of keeping with the present village
  • The three-storey homes would overlook neighbouring properties and deprive residents of privacy
  • Local roads, schools and healthcare facilities would not cope
  • The loss of Hullbridge’s present “village” feel ! Flood risk on Watery Lane and the surrounding areas
  • The site straddles the boundary between Hullbridge and Rawreth
  • Disruption to village life by 12 years of building work