brentwood.gov.uk

I recently attended the Parish Council Meeting for Herongate, attended by two council planning representatives. I feel I must register my concern regarding the planned development for West Horndon. Whilst I appreciate the need for housing and do not wish to sound "NIMBY", the proposed increase in housing for West Horndon will have a major impact on the surrounding infrastructure. The A128 between the A127 and Brentwood is a busy road at the best of times. During school runs and if there are problems on the M25, this road grinds to a halt. An increase in the population of West Horndon will exacerbate this problem. There is no other direct route into Brentwood for the West Horndon residents and with an increase in population comes an increase of persons wanting to access Brentwood facilities, schools, shops, dentists, doctors. There is also a knock on effect on the local hospitals where waiting lists are already stretched. There is no way that this road can be widened or moved without significant impact on the green belt. I understand that there are no plans to upgrade or expand West Horndon station and doubt that it could cope with an increase in commuters wishing to use the trains and car park. Can you please advise what plans are in place to facilitate a robust infrastructure to support these proposed houses? I have also grave concerns at the constant eating away of the green belt area. This was designed to be the "lungs" of London but is gradually becoming covered in concrete. The M25 works being an example. Was this not supposed to return to green belt? Not become a brown field site for development? I firmly believe that greenbelt should be sacred and development on any inch of it be considered very gravely as any erosion opens the door for further development.