brentwood.gov.uk

I have lived very close to Honeypot Lane for almost 23 years. My choice to live where I do was based on the lovely surroundings, a little bit of countryside near to the town with lovely views and with good access to the railway station for work. To this day, it is still lovely, but with a considerable increase in traffic, especially down Honeypot Lane. The Lane is very narrow in part and there have been accidents. Some drivers do not adhere to a safe speed and all the roads around this particular area are not wide enough to take such a large quantity of extra traffic that will inevitably come with any new development.

I cannot believe that the choice of building on a field off of Honeypot Lane is the right choice. In fact, I would be surprised if "the powers that be" have really thought it through and I know for a fact that Brentwood Council has been asked more than once at Council Meetings to remove this site from the Local Development Plan, as several Councillors have expressed the view that it just will not work. It is just not sustainable. It is entirely the wrong place for a housing development. I find it incredible that anyone thought it was a good idea in the first place.

There seems to be two different suggested plans :

250 houses means an average of 4 occupants per house, which equals 1,000 extra residents or even more. How can that possibly work ? Most families have at least 2 cars, which means an extra 500 vehicles on these small roads. What happens when the children grow up and want a car too ? Even more on these roads !

200 houses means an average of 4 occupants per house, which equals 800 extra residents or more. Again, I ask, how can that possibly work ? With this scenario, 2 cars per family means an extra 400 vehicles on these small roads. Added to this, I understand there could be a 40-bed care home, so there would have to be parking for residents and staff.

Whichever plan may be chosen, neither makes sense. Site access, I understand, would be via Honeypot Lane which would cause major disruption over months to years for all of the residents around here. Where I live, there is enough disruption for only one building project currently, so the picture of a whole housing estate does not bode well !

I am writing this with a heavy heart, as it appears from what I have heard that a decision has already been made and that any of us who care about our environment and are hoping to save our little bit of Green Belt, are wasting our time.

If I am wrong about this, I ask you to please, please, look at this site again and realise you are making a very big mistake. I am not saying this purely as a home owner in the same area, but also because it is not the right place for a large development. Surely there must be another site in the Borough that would be much easier to access and would not make such a big impact on our environment. Once ruined, there's no going back.

Thank you for your consideration.