brentwood.gov.uk

1. Under Infrastructure Planning relating to schools it appears that responsibility is with Essex Council, this seems an abdication of responsibility. They may have final say but personally I think they are too remote from the ground level needs and have no confidence that they will get it right.
2. There is no mention of highways, with such an increase in housing Road connections need proper assessment. This applies to the whole plan. You only need to look at road traffic information during rush hour and school pick up times to see there is a 'peek time' issue.
3. Parking is a major issue. Add more houses at a distance from Ingatestone shops and the already critical situation is made worse when they want to get into the Village. Also parking issues for those needing the surgery, dentist and schools. Added to which there is only a half hourly bus with beginning/end of day restrictions. Those employed in the Village are already parking beside Seymour Field. During the day the Village is often clogged up.
4. My understanding of the Mountnessing end of the Village is that it is not just surface water issues but main drainage servicing the existing properties that is an issue.
5. Housing needs to be affordable. Ingatestone like its neighbours has a aging population, new houses built recently are not affordable for most young people. We need to attract them to the Village.
6. Houses must not be crammed in such that there is no onsite parking. There needs to be off road space for at least two cars, assuming that both occupants are at work locally. If there are children there should be space for an additional car. Parked cars need to be kept off the roads, many roads are narrow and a large proportion of the existing housing stock has insufficient space for cars which is often more suitable for an Austin 7 than a modern car (i.e. small garage or short fore court). Also there would need to be more parking at the station for outlying commuters or an improved public system that obviated the need to use a car to get to the station.
7. Noted that some developments are adjacent to the A12, the issue of noise pollution needs addressing in planning considerations.