brentwood.gov.uk

As one who has lived here most of my life I shall comments on just one or two points (from among many). These proposals are unsound and poorly researched; I fail to understand why West Horndon is considered suitable for development on such a massive scale - 43% of the total proposed fopr the the borough! This project would appear to have been "Planned" by appointed persons who are unfamiliar with and know nothing of the area and its history, a case of "put it all away to the farthest boundary". It will not work.

Residents here suffered badly from the floods in 1958, 1981* and other occasions since. My drive and front garden regularly flood after heavy rain and last summer back gardens along here were partly under water. We are after all on the border of Fenland; Fen lane runs south of the village.

I accept we have to take some development but, while we talk of houses, your words are 'homes' and 'dwellings' what does this suggest - blocks or flats? The industrial estate is the preferred option; to be without the nightmare of HGVs and shipping containers thundering through day and night would be fine, to be replaced by what? With today's car ownership a hundred houses could create up to 150 vehicles; multiply that by how many? Where are they all going? Surrounded by already congested main roads there is nothing to be done with the narrow roads and lanes in and around the village boundaries. Station Road is still little more that a country lane it once was despite the traffic.

The adjacent farmland is precious and essential for food production. The Green Belt (037) is sacrosanct and must be strongly safeguarded. It is clear that this plan is impractical and ill-conceived and I hope and trust that common sense will prevail in finding an acceptable outcome.

East and West Horndon Today & Yesterday - Gordon R. Everson (*p.195/6)