Greenbelt Homes Opposed

PLANS to build 152 homes on green belt land in Rayleigh have received almost 1,000 objections.
The proposed development, put forward by Manor Oak Homes, is for land to the north of Great Wheatley Road.
The scheme has sparked a wave of opposition from the community, including from 901 residents, who have formally objected on Rochford Council’s planning portal.
Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, has registered a formal objection.
The scheme was also unanimously opposed by councillors during a recent planning meeting at Rayleigh Town Council.
Chief amongst concerns is the strain on already-stretched infrastructure, as well as the loss of much-loved green belt land.
The council said: “Based on the information provided to this Planning Committee, the Town Council objects to this application due to the site being located on protected greenbelt land plus the following points as highlighted in the reports provided by the Wheatley Action Group.”
The group listed flooding, ecology, drainage, transport, heath impact and several more points are reasons for their objection.
David Livermore, co-chair of the Wheatley Action Group, said: “This is not the sustainable and much-needed development the developers are selling it as.
“It is not wanted by the people of Rayleigh and the number of objections shows this.”
Manor Oak Homes said the development would make a “positive contribution” to local housing needs, with design documents showing the plan to include 76 affordable homes, public open space, a play area, and a network of foot and cycle paths.
Despite this, concerns remain over the development’s potential impact on the countryside and infrastructure, with Anglian Water claiming that current waste water and sewerage provision was not suitable for the proposed development.
A spokesman for Rochford Council said: “Planning application reference 26/00362/OUT remains under consideration and no decision has been made at this time.”
Planners are likely to make a decision from early September onwards.
Picture: Artist’s impression of the plans. Pic Manor Oak Homes.
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