On July 9, Maldon District Council considered a renewed application for a development of 320 homes behind Wyke Hill - the previous application having stalled for one reason or another. It was refused by the council, which was a pity. It included provision for a community area, where a new health hub could be built.

However, that area was at the back of the development and would have been in the last phase of the development, the date for completion of which is indeterminate and has been linked with what is called the South Maldon Relief Road, which would skirt the far side linking the A414 with Wyke Hill. That scheme seems to be even more distant.

The only hope for getting the health hub plan on the move sooner would seem to be if access to the back of the site could be brought forward. It appears a temporary access on to Wyke Hill from that area might be one way to achieve this instead of waiting until completion of the whole development (and possibly the relief road too). We may need the homes, but with all the building going on already the need for new health facilities is even more urgent.

Cllr Christopher Swain

Independent - Maldon East