brentwood.gov.uk

Comment

Representation ID: 5154

Received: 17/02/2015

Respondent: Mr Colin Foan

Development must not further increase the challenges to the Borough's infrastructure (i.e. it must be small enough not to create a significant demand on current infrastructure, or big enough to generate money to create/improve infrastructure to meet the new need).
Whilst transport is considered, the focus appears to be on Crossrail and links to Brentwood Town Centre. Although important, given the scale of potential development within the A127 Corridor, a completely fresh transport strategy needs to be developed for this area. This will need to consider both the impact of Brentwood and Basildon's development along the Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street rail line, and take into account that other local councils are looking to develop along this line as well (significant knock-on impact that may occur will not be considered by looking at just Brentwood and Basildon's plans alone). It also needs to consider how residents of the Garden Suburb (if developed) travel to West Horndon, Laindon and Basildon, and how West Horndon village residents travel to the Garden Suburb, Brentwood and Basildon town centres. The transport strategy will also need to incorporate regular public transport to local employment locations given the potential redevelopment of the West Horndon industrial estates.
 From a road perspective, the consultation document focuses heavily on the A12 and A127. However the A128 links these two roads, and importantly links the south of the Borough to Brentwood Town Centre including related infrastructure (importantly, secondary schools). Any development within the A127 or A12 corridors will need to consider how to alleviate what will become intolerable strain on this specific road.
 In addition to transport; education, healthcare, community facilities and green infrastructure are all identified as significant infrastructure considerations. The detail on these within the consultation document is limited and significantly more information will be necessary to ensure future development is carried out sustainably.
 Timing of infrastructure needs to have a stronger focus than currently seen in the consultation. Given the scale of potential development within the A127 Corridor, supporting infrastructure needs to be in place first, to prevent a significant and materially negative impact on existing residents. This will also ensure that any new development is undertaken in a sustainable manner.