Hadleigh - a community under threat from over development.

As I mentioned in my last post I attended the only Hadleigh consultation meeting on the Castle Point Local Plan and have since submitted my response to the Issues and Options Consultation. I have to admit that the entire process is disheartening and I suspect that for many interested residents trying to complete the on line response will be challenging.

My biggest issue with the draft documentation issued to date is that it seems to ignore the situation as it currently is. Focussing on Hadleigh the reality is that even based on the current population the infrastructure (to include schools, GPs and dental surgeries) cannot cope, the character of the area is under threat as a result of over development, and the highway network is on the point of collapse.

 In particular any disruption on the very busy A13 (however minor) results in excessive rat running and gridlock across the alternative routes to include Church Road and Scrub Lane. Similar problems arise if the A127 is closed for any reason.

This situation cannot be significantly improved. There is no possibility of widening the A13 between West Leigh and Hadleigh Church and in any event traffic would then back up on the single carriageway road through Southend to the west and Benfleet to the east. There is no viable alternative east/west route to reduce the current traffic loads.

One of the possibilities mentioned in the consultation is a large residential development on the Salvation Army land fronting the A13. This is completely ridiculous. This land provides an essential green lung between Southend (one of the densest populated areas outside London) and Castle Point. To lose any part would be detrimental to the character of the area and the mental health of local residents.

Of equal concern is that any construction works would create traffic chaos for months if not years and when occupied the new residences would place impossible burdens on the A13, surrounding roads and our other infrastructure.

One would hope that Essex County Council as the Highways Authority would be pointing these realities out however the County Council appears to be continuing with its efforts to develop the former school playing field site on Scrub Lane. A suggestion of up to 100 residences has been mentioned with access on to Scrub Lane which cannot cope with the current demands at rush hours – particularly if there is disruption elsewhere in the area.

I know that our MP Rebecca Harris and Castle Point Conservatives are working to oppose this over development but with a Council who will make final decisions on the Plan comprising solely members of the Peoples Independent Party and the Canvey Independent Group only time will tell if the Council will heed these concerns in an effective manner. In the meantime the Labour Government is threatening to impose ever greater housing targets on local authorities, whether or not they can be achieved in a way which protects the best interests of local communities.

It is essential that as many residents as possible complete the online consultation and monitor the draft plan which subsequently materialises so that we can forcefully oppose this nonsense!