brentwood.gov.uk

The land at Priests Lane (site Refs. 044 &178) should be removed from the Local Development Plan. [Site new ref R19].

1. Road access, The access to the sites can only be from Priests Lane through St, Andrews Place, Bishop Walk or the present track at 61a Priests Lane. Priests Lane already carries far more traffic than it is suited to being a narrow two lane road with blind curves and a sharp bend at the St, Andrews Place junction. There have been at least six major Road Traffic Accidents on this road in the past few years and the increase in traffic which the proposed development would generate would greatly exacerbate the danger of even more such incidents . The technical submissions of residents have shown that the present accesses to the sites are hazardous, in particular that at No. 61a which has an inadequate line of site in one direction and is almost opposite the junction with Glanthams road.
2. Pollution. In addition to the increase in the volume of traffic using Priests Lane, the development would also produce a very significant rise in the air pollution levels from car exhaust emissions in the vicinity. Such levels already exceed E.U.limits at the junction of Priests Lane and Middleton Hall Lane, due no doubt to the long traffic tail-backs which occur around this junction at peak times. The inevitable light pollution associated with such a housing development would illuminate what is at present a relatively dark area of night sky thus spoiling a facility regularly used by local amateur astronomers.
3. Local Services. Public Transport. At present there is no public transport such as a bus service in that part of Priests Lane at the proposed development site for very good reasons. That part of the lane can just allow two vehicles of the Range Rover type to pass in opposite directions in safety leaving no scope for anything wider such as a bus. The footpath which is only on one side of the lane is so narrow that pedestrians including mothers with babies in buggies are only inches away from the fast moving traffic.
4. Surface Flooding. At times of heavy rainfall which are not infrequent, Priests Lane, Middleton Hall Lane and St Andrews Place suffer surface flooding. At times of less heavy rainfall, parts of gardens adjoining the proposed development site can remain under water for several days due to the very poor surface drainage in the area. It is reported that some years ago when a previous development was under consideration the plan was abandoned as the site was deemed too wet for the purpose.
5. Environment. The proposed development will be detrimental to the character and appearance of the surrounding area and will occupy what is currently designated Protected Open Space.
For all the above reasons the development of Priests Lane sites 044 and 178 should be removed from the current Local Development Plan.