brentwood.gov.uk

I and my partner are writing in response to the proposed Local Development Plan with regards to the detrimental affect it will have on the village of West Horndon. We feel the village will be lost by being swallowed up with the construction of such a large amount (up to 1500) of homes. We do understand that houses have to be built and development has to take place to accommodate people. Our children will need somewhere to live in the future as well, but to use Metropolitan Green Belt land is wrong and goes against the idea of the land being protected in the first place.

The proposal means West Horndon could take around 43% of the borough's new homes, why such a large percentage? You seem to be planning, even in contingency, to earmark anywhere around West Horndon. This is a large borough and we can see other major infrastructure being developed (Cross Rail) but not being fully utilised. Basically, why isn't all of the Borough sharing the burden.

It is well documented that the village suffers from continual industrial traffic, noise and pollution, and the only real transport infrastructure in place is the railway station. Therefore the idea of the current industrial site being used for housing (500) seems a very good idea, and means the quality of life would improve for West Horndon villagers as well as taking some of the housing development required.

We also have concerns regarding flood risk to the local area and what the planning team proposed to do to reduce it.

The village doesn't have very good links (walking, cycling) to any sizeable park within the Borough, even though we live so close to Thorndon South Park. If any proposed development does take place there must be an undertaking to improve this situation for the families of West Horndon.