Green Belt Vote

GREEN Party Councillor Coun Richard Longstaff, who sits on the Planning Committee, was among Eight councillors who voted against proposals to build 2,000 homes on Southend’s Green Belt.
At the recent Planning Committee meeting, eight of the ten councillors decided to reject the planning application.
Coun Longstaff said: “Southend’s housing target has risen from around 350 to 1,400 homes a year, based on a national formula that the Government itself describes as an ‘unconstrained assessment’, rather than a requirement to build that many homes.
“At the same time, we already have a significant supply of homes ready to come forward in the region of 4,000. Our own calculations, based on national planning guidelines, give a baseline figure of 550 homes, which would negate the use of Greenbelt land.
“It is also deeply concerning and premature to recommend 2,000 homes on Green Belt land without first dealing with the wider infrastructure needs of South Essex with only one westbound arterial road for access to the wider region.
“Rochford has raised concerns about the cumulative impact of development, while the Greater Essex Growth and Infrastructure Framework, which was created to look at growth and infrastructure across the county, has simply been dismissed as outdated – yet this document highlights the above constraints – nothing has changed in this respect.
“We cannot keep planning for endless growth on a finite peninsula without properly considering the roads, public transport, schools, healthcare, water and other infrastructure that people will need. A national formula cannot change the physical reality of Southend. We need to plan for the city we can actually support, not just chase an ever-increasing housing target.”
Coun Kay Mitchell, deputy spokesperson for the Green Group who spoke to object to the proposals, added: “I know how difficult these decisions can be for members of the Planning Committee, and I thank Coun Longstaff for making the right decision.
“This is Green Belt land, and it continues to meet the criteria for that protection.
“It should be protected as such. Building on this land would set a dangerous precedent and would be very short-sighted. More homes and more people mean we need to protect the green spaces and farmland we have, for the city’s future wellbeing.
“These areas play an important role in food production, reducing carbon, managing water, supporting biodiversity and giving people space to enjoy nature.
“On a limited peninsula like Southend, once this land is built on, we cannot get it back. We need to think about the long-term future of our city, not just the short-term pressure to build more homes.”
The Green Group says it will continue to push for new homes to be delivered on appropriate brownfield, unfinished developments, and bring empty properties back into use, while protecting the Green Belt and local remaining farmland.
The South East Essex Green Party has consistently opposed proposals to develop the site, including through its Green Belt motion submitted to Full Council in July.
The scheme will now automatically go to the Secretary of State.
Picture: The Green Group in Southend’s Council Chamber
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