Protect Greenbelt Protest - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Protect Greenbelt Protest – A PROTEST by residents calling to “Save Bournes Green” met to campaign against 10,000 homes being built on greenbelt land between Southend and Rochford.

Protect Greenbelt Protest - A PROTEST by residents calling to “Save Bournes Green” met to campaign against 10,000 homes being built on greenbelt land between Southend and Rochford.

A PROTEST by residents calling to “Save Bournes Green” met to campaign against 10,000 homes being built on greenbelt land between Southend and Rochford.

The protest, which organised by The Confelicity Party, took place at Devonshire Recreation Ground near Maplin Way North, on Sunday June 8th.

It came after an expression of interest from developer Bellway was submitted to the Government’s ‘New Towns Taskforce’ alongside Southend and Rochford councils, who are screening public opinion on the proposed development.

Some members of the demonstration were actively vocal against Labour’s housing targets, with James Miller, leader of The Confelicity Party describing: “a palpable sense of united anger towards defeating Labour’s obsession for killing the green belt.”

“But there is much hope and it starts with joining forces across Southend and making sure every resident does their duty to write to their MP, ward councillors and most importantly, object when the public consultation comes out in relation to the Local Plan,” he continued.

Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh David Burton-Sampson hit back at accusation that the expression of interest was Labour-led, asserting that the plans were originally submitted by a Conservative-led council, in 2018.

He said: “They were re-submitted to the New Towns taskforce in December 2024, by Southend and Rochford District Councils. I did not have a role in this process.”

Anne Jones, Southend’s Labour councillor for planning, commented on the need for more housing in the area: “Southend needs more housing, particularly for temporary accommodation, but this is an expression of interest only, we are holding discussions with residents to get their thoughts which they have the opportunity to put pen to paper before any decision is made.

“It’s an option to develop and it’s there for people to say whether they want a new neighbourhood there or not.

“It’s not about Labour wanting to build on green belt land.”

Mr Burton Sampson welcomed Labour’s targets to build more home, but said it must be: “considered in the context of local capacity.”

He added: “I will be pushing to make sure that all infrastructure is front-loaded wherever there are new housing developments.

“It’s also important to me that new houses in the area are affordable to local people, so that parents can afford to raise their children near their grandparents.”

Mr Miller cast doubt on the Local Plan’s applicability to Southend residents, adding: “There is no such thing as a Local Plan that prioritises local people, just because they are building these houses does not mean that you or anyone else gets first dibs on them.”

Picture: Campaigners protest to protect Greenbelt

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