brentwood.gov.uk

Please find as follows our comments regards the above site proposal. Our objection to this store proposal and any other in the surrounding area is similar to many local residence.In regards specifically to Priests Lane there are currently traffic problems which include:1. Congestion caused by general increase in local traffic; 2. Congestion caused by outside traffic using Priests lane as cut through; 3. Congestion caused by using as cut through when A12 is congested. Mainly Southbound; 4. Congestion in rush hour, school times and weekends; 5. The congestion puts pressure on Priest Lane/Middleton Hall Lane/ Shenfield Common Lights; 6. Shenfield Crescent suffers as a cut through when Priest Lane is busy and puts young children at risk at both Schools in this area. It's been evident that the above has in the past caused emergency services to be delayed trying to break through the congestion. Trying to enter a housing estate from Priests Lane in busy times would be near impossible for the emergency services. We also suffer the increased problem of our drive ways being used as turning points when traffic is busy. This will eventually lead to most Priests Lane residence erecting gates on their drive ways making the area loose its natural look. In my opinion gates on ALL driveways in a road give the impression of insecurity to pedestrians in dark hours. The condition of the road surface itself is poor at the best of times. Whilst only being resurfaced recently, there are already dips appearing at the top end of the lane near Shenfield Crescent. These appeared before the snow so evident that heavy traffic is the cause. Whilst traffic is one of the reasons we should not see an increase in housing there is also the increase in general population which will no doubt increase the demand on local schools. It cannot be assumed that all residence in the area will be able to afford the likes of Brentwood School and I am sure the state schools will not be able to cope with an increase of children. The proposed land is of a reasonable sized area and one which could be well used to provide playing fields for local children with activities or for the adjoin schools. There is plenty of area to provide car parking for parents dropping off or waiting. Rather than loose good green grass areas in the borough I feel it would be more beneficial to utilise these areas for children to have outdoor activities rather than limited or even none going forward if you build on them. The Brentwood planning application site is already full of green belt areas awaiting planning consent. Amazingly including both Woodland School sites. How sad it would be to see the green fields of the borough become filled with housing and no fields or parks to enjoy. I hope that the above and any other consideration to build in the area will be reconsidered and a decision not to proceed is reached.