brentwood.gov.uk

I am writing in response to a letter from our Parish Council about Strategic Growth Options which could affect where I live, Doddinghurst. Firstly why is a letter from the Parish Council on 4th February the first thing that I and pretty well everybody in Park Meadow knows about this plan? The date on the 'Options Consultancy' letter shows dates of 6 weeks between January 6th and February 17th for anyone to comment on anything. The letter written on 4th February from one of our Parish Councillors was pushed through my daughter's door (in Peartree Close) or I would have known nothing about it. Only a few other residents have received a copy.

On Monday (9th) I went to the Town Hall to get some more information. I was told that a letter went out to everybody in January. I asked why I didn't get one and was told you sent it out tucked into the free paper 'Made in Essex'!!! What a way to send out an important letter!! It doesn't come to Park Meadow, I've asked my neighbours and apart from one when the paper was first printed nobody ever gets a copy.

We all know what happens to them, they get dumped when the delivery boy gets fed up! And in addition to this it tends to get thrown away with all the other junk mail without being opened at all!

Without going through all the questionnaire (which I picked up at the Town Hall) these are my comments on using Green Belt land for housing - obviously it should never be used but if our government says housing must be provided then we may have to. I can only comment on what is suggested for Doddinghurst. Firstly, this is a lovely tiny village with few shops, an hourly bus service, schools are bursting at the seams, services (gas, electric, sewers, etc) would be under pressure to supply more homes. I don't think I need to say any more except I hope many people will comment now that they have the information I picked up from you. Can the closing date be extended to allow people to send in their comments? We only have a few days!!