brentwood.gov.uk

I wish to object to the development of the sites 044 and 178 as described in the Local Development Plan.

My reasons for my objection are as follows:

1. Traffic Concerns and Road Safety

We live at No.62 Priests Lane - I have on previous occasions over the years written to the local councillors about my concerns for the current safety of the road - due to high speed of cars on the road at off peak times combined with the lack of pavement on one side of the road and high level of vehicles using the road.
Currently it is both difficult and dangerous exiting our property either on foot or in a car.
Children need to cross the Lane to reach the pavement to walk to and from school .

There are bends along the Lane which impair visibility and there have been numerous accidents over the years. The most recent of which was on Sunday morning 13 March at 6.45am when a car hit the road side by No 64 and spun across the road causing serious damage to the car.

Congestion can be severe now at peak times of the day - traffic often queueing down to Glanthams Road from Middleton Hall Lane junction. This can only worsen with increased traffic on the Lane.

The Lane is narrow in areas such that is difficult for 2 vehicles to pass easily along that stretch. There is no possibility of a safe cycle lane on the Lane . There is no provision for public transport on the Lane .
Developing the sites above will only increase the traffic on Priests Lane.

2. Pollution

Pollution levels are already known to be at a high level at the junction of Ingrave Road , Middleton Hall Lane and Priests Lane. This can only worsen with development of the site.
This junction is where in particular school children walk through daily to reach 3 local secondary schools - Brentwood School , Brentwood County High School , Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School .
Increasing traffic and hence pollution will place these school children at even greater risk from the effects of pollution and also other pedestrians.



3. Protected Open Urban Site

The site has been designated as a Protected Urban Site - green sites within urban developments are known to be important both to the local community and local wildlife . Badgers , deer , foxes and a wide variety of bird life have been seen on the site.
Loss of this site would appear to go against both local policy and also national policies aimed at protecting green spaces.