Object

Preferred Site Allocations 2018

Representation ID: 18785

Received: 12/03/2018

Respondent: Neil Amor

Representation Summary:

The A128 would become a major route for construction traffic. Traffic already has a detrimental effect on the air quality around the A128. I would like to see the results of (if any) environmental impact study that has been undertaken by BBC to show the impact on health of the increase of traffic. Especially as the majority of the increase would be from large diesel lorries.

Full text:

I object to these proposals, As I live in Ingrave and the A128 would become a major route for construction traffic. This road was not built to take that sort of traffic, you only need to look at it first thing in the morning to see that. It is quite normal for traffic to queue almost from the Halfway House roundabout to the Running waters roundabout. During the spring and summer months, this has a detrimental effect on the air quality. I would like to see the results of (if any) environmental impact study that has been undertaken by BBC to show the impact on health of the increase of traffic. Especially as the majority of the increase would be from large diesel lorries. I moved to Brentwood to get away from poor air quality in London and now you are dead set about going down the same path.

The act states that the Green belt was set up:

* To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas
* To prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another
* To assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment
* To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns
* To assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

Once an area of land has been defined as green belt, the stated opportunities and benefits include:
* Providing opportunities for access to the open countryside for the urban population
* Providing opportunities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation near urban areas
* The retention of attractive landscapes and the enhancement of landscapes, near to where people live
* Improvement of damaged and derelict land around towns
* The securing of nature conservation interests
* The retention of land in agricultural, forestry and related uses.

As someone who has a great knowledge of the building industry, I know that developers would rather build on virgin land that carry the cost of decontaminating brownfield sites. So please make this development a last result and not a first choice, for the sake of generations to come.