brentwood.gov.uk

Please indicate which section(s) of the Draft Local Plan you are commenting on (where applicable please clearly state the Policy reference or paragraph number):
Brentwood Gypsy and Travellers policy (policy 7.10)
I strongly object to policy 7.10 for Gyspy and Traveller provision on the following grounds:
(1) Paragraph 7.79 states that the policy is based on allocations specified in the Essex Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment prepared in July 2014 prior to the new Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) published in August 2015. Section 2 of PPTS states that it must be taken into account in the preparation of development plans and this has not been done.
Para 2.45
Little consideration has been given to providing sufficient new schools, health services or the emergency services. Basildon hospital cannot cope with the current population and I understand that there are no plans to provide additional funding or to expand the current facilities. There is real danger to lives now as the hospital cannot cope. A continued population increase and a growing elderly population will put incredible strain on services. GP appointments are currently standing at 10-14 days.
8.48
The C2C line has seen a progressive increase in passengers over the past few years resulting in the disastrous new timetable being implemented. There is talk of providing more trains in 2019 but there are only two lines in/out of London so there is a limit to the capacity.

(1) Infrastructure
The A127, A13 and adjoining roads cannot cope with the traffic now.
Numerous developments have taken place and are in the process of being built in the local area which is seeing an impact on increased traffic, strain on schools and amenities.
(2) Building on Green Belt
All possible options to utilise brownfield land and should be considered before putting forward proposals to utilise the Green Belt.
(3) Pollution
I have not seen any information on the local pollution from vehicles. Studies should be in place to measure the current levels which I would guess exceed permitted European emission levels. An increase in traffic will further exacerbate the issue.
(4) Flood Risk
Development of Dunton Hills and West Horndon will pose a very high risk of flooding especially through its onward effect on the Mardyke River.
Removal of trees/vegetation will reduce the ability of the area to absorb rainfall. The altitude of the land is mostly around 40m. The A127 presents a barrier to drainage systems because it is lower lying land of approx. 20m. Therefore, most of the surface water will have to be drained towards the South and West via the Mardyke tributary and into the Mardyke itself.
The development of the Dunton Hills area would dramatically increase the risk of flooding. The cost to implement the necessary flood defences would be astronomical.
Gypsy pitches
(5) Wrap-up
Councils should be made to build on brownfield and not Green Belt. Once the land is gone it is gone forever. From the National Planning Policy Framework it states 'The Government attaches great importance to Green Belts. The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence.' I implore you to honour this policy.