Space For 900 Homes

CONTROVERSIAL plans have been drawn up by the Salvation Army identifying space for up to 900 homes to be built in Hadleigh Country Park, despite renewed concern from residents and campaigners about its development.
The charity, which owns the historic and well-loved farmland, previously had its bid for inclusion in Castle Point’s Local Plan rejected by the council.
The consultation is currently running on the Local Plan and the Salvation Army has submitted a response, asking for its land to be reassessed as grey belt and thus suitable for building, adding that the councils’ designation of the land as greenbelt was “flawed.”
As part of the response, they included a new proposal that could see 900 homes built across the farmland between London Road, Hadleigh, Tattersall Gardens, and Leigh, with a new roundabout and junction.
After the land Salvation Army initially put forward land to the Local Plan, the Save Hadleigh Farmland group formed, campaigning vociferously to ensure the land is not developed, with the support of many local MPs.
Recently, the group leafletted thousands of residents, asking for them to demand clarity from Salvation Army bosses on their intentions.
Rebecca Harris, Tory MP for Castle point, said development at the site would be “devastating” for residents, urging the council to dismiss any representation to designate the site as green belt, adding she “stands firmly” with residents in opposition to the proposal which would “effectively merge” Hadleigh and Leigh.
Commenting on this latest proposal, Martin England of Save Hadleigh Farmland group said: “This shows the Salvation Army’s contempt for the residents of Hadleigh and Leigh, as this secret proposal has been on going even though the site in not in the local plan.”
Campaigners are warning that the Local Plan meets only 53% of the Government’s housing target, potentially leaving unallocated land open to future development.
A Salvation Army spokesperson said that “no formal decisions have been made” over the future of the site and no official planning application have been submitted to either Castle Point or Basildon Council.
The charity added the submission “explains how we feel we can help the council meet significant housing needs” as it sought to ensure the site “remains green space” providing much needed housing in the area.
The spokesperson added: “Should plans progress any further, we will undertake a local consultation to ensure residents of the opportunity to shape the future of the site.”
Picture: land identified by the charity for development
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