United Against Development - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Unite Against Development – NEARLY 30 residents from Hadleigh and Leigh came together to celebrate the Save Hadleigh Farmland Petition reaching 8,000 signatures.

Unite Against Development - NEARLY 30 residents from Hadleigh and Leigh came together to celebrate the Save Hadleigh Farmland Petition reaching 8,000 signatures.

Leigh On Sea News: Unite Against Development – NEARLY 30 residents from Hadleigh and Leigh came together to celebrate the Save Hadleigh Farmland Petition reaching 8,000 signatures.

NEARLY 30 residents from Hadleigh and Leigh came together to celebrate the Save Hadleigh Farmland Petition reaching 8,000 signatures.

The campaign, whose aim is to ensure the removal of the Hadleigh Farm landsite from the Castle Point local plan consultation, continues to build momentum with residents keen to demonstrate that they strongly object to any housing development on this farmland.

Residents present raised issues around the pressure that hundreds of new homes would put on local emergency services, roads, GP’s, Hospital and schools.

Concerns were also raised about roads, especially the A13, and about the amount of pollution along the A13. Other residents pointed out that public services are already struggling under huge pressure. How will they cope with all the extra people and cars?

The campaigners were joined by former MP for Southend West and Leigh, Anna Firth as well as West Leigh Councillor, Lesley Salter and Leigh Town Councillor, Paul Gilson, City Councillor, Coun Kevin Buck as well as the President and former Leader of the City Council, Nigel Holdcroft.

Martin England, Founder and Leader of the Save Hadleigh Farmland campaign said: “It was so good to have a gathering with both Leigh and Hadleigh residents to show the solidarity between us.

“The fact that the farmland site has been put on the map for developers is something we are all outraged about and together we will continue to fight, so that the site is removed from the Local Plan and from any development plans in the future.
“That’s our main aim, and it is fantastic that our petition has now reached 8,000 which is absolutely amazing. ”

Anna Firth added: “This historic site is a green jewel in Hadleigh and Leigh’s crown and should not form any part of Castle Point Council’s consultation, let alone any local development plan.

“Not only is it prime Green Belt and agricultural land, it is an iconic site of priceless historic value. It would drastically alter the landscape and character of this historically rich area and drive a coach and horses through our Green Belt protections.

“It should be thrown out at the first possible opportunity”.

Leigh Town Councillor, Coun Paul Gilson said: “The proposed development of the Salvation Army owned farm land will deny us, the residents of Leigh and Southend the green lung that exists on our west side.

“It brings the country side in to the heart of a highly populated residential area. It would be criminal to loose it.”

West Leigh City Councillor, Coun Lesley Salter added: “We do not have the infrastructure to cope with the extra population that this creates.

“The London Road is already full to capacity as are our schools and our Doctors surgeries. Residents tell me all the time that they are already struggling now at our doctors surgeries and our hospitals for appointments.

“With a rapidly increased population how will they cope, how will we cope?”

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