brentwood.gov.uk

The plan proposes to increase the size of West Horndon village to accommodate for almost half of all development within the borough of Brentwood to 2030. This is completely unacceptable. Development in Brentwood should be equally distributed across the borough. It is ludicrous that 43% of new development has been assigned for the small village of West Horndon. Even more astounding is the fact that some of this development is proposed on 'Metropolitan Greenbelt land'.
Under no circumstances should any development take place on METROPOLITAN GREEN BELT. Green belt is in place to prevent urban sprawl and should stay that way.
The plan only shows location and boundaries of development. We have been consulted to comment on a major development in the village with very limited information. There are no details of housing layout, infrastructure, transport links, shops, education, health services, flood alleviation schemes, effects on natural habitats etc. The land use is not clear. There is mention of 'mixed use' land with narrow explanation as to what this means. There is mention of a traveller site with no indication of location.
The plan reasons that West Horndon development will create local jobs for Brentwood residents, how do these Brentwood residents get to work? The only access to the village from Brentwood at present is via an infrequent bus service or by car. There is no footbridge / cycle path over the A127. The train service is approaching capacity with no direct access to Brentwood town centre. Increased traffic will affect an already jam-packed rush hour A127 and A128. Access and Egress to the A127 at Thorndon Avenue is currently inadequate and dangerous.
Generally there is not enough information on the plan; there is no evidence that in depth research has been carried out on numerous factors that should be taken into account when considering a development of this size in West Horndon.
A more considerate, less destructive and accepting option would be to develop the industrial estate to new housing compliant with the existing village layout, allocating say 10-15% of Brentwood borough development to 2030 to West Horndon.