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I appreciate and accept that nothing stays the same forever, and that some development to West Horndon could improve our facilities and enhance the look of the village. By removing the Industrial Parks it is possible to achieve this. However, I do not feel that the Council has fully investigated the implications and practicalities of this development and therefore the information provided is sketchy and conflicting. There is not enough evidence to confirm that thorough investigations have been made and findings published to make a balanced and constructed decision.

Currently the people employed on the Industrial Estate have bus and train services to get them to work. The new site provides neither of these and the Council do not appear to have considered this and the possibility that employment will be lost.

With respect to the development of the green belt land to the north of the Industrial sites and the alternative suggestion that the Council could develop land in Station Road towards the A128 I strongly object. The demand for housing in West Horndon would be more than adequately provided on the Industrial Areas. The Green Belt should be protected and remain intact for the reasons it was initially put in place- to prevent urban sprawl.

As an alternative development area, would it not be appropriate for the Council to research the land on the A127, currently Timmermans Nurseries, which is up for sale?

Most people who live in West Horndon do so because they enjoy the small village community and a semi-rural location. The proposed plans to more than treble the size of the village remove all of these aspects and alter a village to a small town. The Village already has issues with flooding, water / sewage and other utilities, education, health and internet to name but a few. This is with a population of less than 1900. In addition, the Council do not appear to have considered the daily traffic volumes and the impact on the A127 and A128 which struggles to meet current demands. The existing infrastructure could not cope with the increase but the Council do not appear to have assessed this.

The outline proposed does not give sufficient information to make a decision and needs to clarify on research and evidence to support its recommendations. No consideration appears to have been given to wildlife and bio-diversity issues.

Finally I currently object to the Traveller Site being located within the village as no definite proposal seems to have been identified and it is left to speculation. West Horndon Village attracts families and focuses on a close knit community. It is suggested that the Travellers will not be families and therefore I do not feel they will fit in with our community. In view of recent events, with national news coverage, at Dale Farm, Buckles Lane Ockendon and another area in Brentwood I do not believe our small community could cope. We have little crime at present which is evidenced that we only have a visiting police presence.