Homes Plan Outrage

A RECENT Leigh Town Council meeting saw councillors and residents react with “outrage” at The Salvation Army’s potential plans to build up to 900 homes on Green Belt land.
At a packed Community Centre meeting, councillors and residents voiced strong concerns about the proposals.
Keith Murray, who attended the meeting explained: “The meeting was attended by many enraged Leigh residents who made their opposition to this, and any future plans to build on this land, very clear.”
The controversy follows proposals submitted by the Salvation Army, which owns the historic farmland near Hadleigh Country Park, identifying space for up to 900 homes.
The site was previously rejected for inclusion in Castle Point’s Local Plan.
The consultation on the Local Plan is currently ongoing, with the Salvation Army (SA) requesting the land be reassessed as Grey Belt, arguing the current Green Belt designation is “flawed”.
During the meeting, it was agreed that residents would oppose any building on this Green Belt land, and would write to Castle Point Borough Council, the local MP, and the Salvation Army voicing complete rejection of any such building.
Rebecca Harris, Tory MP for Castle Point, has previously said that development at the site would be “devastating” for residents, adding she “stands firmly” with residents in opposition to the proposal which would “effectively merge” Hadleigh and Leigh.
Mr. Murray raised concerns about what he described as the “patronising” way that the salvation Army were treating residents, in a sentiment echoed recently by campaign group Save Hadleigh Farmland, who have been seeking clarity on the land owner’s intentions.
He continued: “The patronising way they are treating the local community is truly unbelievable, especially considering they are supposed to be a community-based church and charity with high ethical standards.
“I hasten to add this condemnation is not against the local caring rank-and-file members of the SA, who as Christians are most likely to be as saddened as anyone else about this dreadful plan.”
Picture: the proposed plans. Pic Save Hadleigh Farmland.

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