brentwood.gov.uk

The site identified for development sits directly opposite the village's primary school. The significant increase in volume of traffic and type of vehicle necessary for construction to take place will have consequences for air quality, noise, and the quality and safety of our local roads. School drop off and pick up takes place around the village hall and in the road adjacent to Red Rose Lane and an increase in traffic will have consequences for safety of children, and for fluidity of movement through the village, at these times.
Construction work for 5-6 years from 2019 threatens to affect the experience and education of children at the village school (including that of my son, currently in year 1) as a result of increased noise and air pollution. It is also
questionable how the school, already at capacity and at times with a waiting list, could absorb what could feasibly be a 100% increase in numbers of children (the school has approximately 125 places).
The development site is green belt land. My partner and I chose to live in the vicinity of Blackmore because of its rural location. We enjoy outdoor pursuits including cycling and running which are possible because of the rural nature of our community. A significant and sudden increase in the population of the village would lead to a similar increase in the amount of traffic on local roads, making such outdoor pursuits at the very least less safe.
Blackmore has a vibrant community spirit from which all residents benefit and which would be threatened by a significant and sudden increase in the population of the village. I appreciate the need for development in the village to support e.g. younger people to find homes in the area, or older residents of the village to downsize, but believe this should be proportionate, reasonable, and at a rate that allows for absorption by the local community. Disproportionate and rapid increase threatens to be detrimental to the thriving and inclusive community of Blackmore which brings so many benefits to its residents.
Finally, I note that villages of a similar size in the Brentwood area, including Herongate, Ingrave and Mountessing, have no planned development. A 28% increase in the population of Blackmore under such circumstances seems unreasonable.