Comment
Strategic Growth Options
Representation ID: 6055
Received: 16/02/2015
Respondent: Mrs Sandra Mate
020 and 021 (Industrial Estates in West Horndon) are already in the 5 year land supply, and are brownfield sites that could be developed in a positive manner for West Horndon village, although probably at a lower density than the 500 indicated in the 5 year land supply. It should be noted however that development of these sites alone could increase the residential size of West Horndon village by c. 90% and as such, sufficient planning and infrastructure will need to ensure that the impact to existing residents is managed appropriately. The present infrastructure (including roads, school and healthcare provision, and public transport) would be extremely inadequate in light of such expansion of the village.
Please find attached my completed consultation questionaire for the Strategic Growth Options Consultation.
I support the principles set out in the National Planning Policy Framework for the protection of the Green Belt to prevent urban creep.
I strongly oppose inappropriate development in the green belt except in exceptional circumstances where the benefits clearly outweigh the harm and we also support the view that housing need alone does not constitute exceptional benefit.
However, I acknowledge the challenge that the Strategic Housing Allocation numbers present to Brentwood Borough Council. I recognise that without clear locations for the necessary houses identified by the Strategic Housing Allocation, Brentwood Borough Council will be highly unlikely to have a robust Local Development Plan approved. That presents the risk of aggressive speculative developers attempting to obtain planning approval anywhere in the borough and that the appeals system could result in inappropriate and poorly coordinated development taking place.
Thus in the unfortunate circumstance where Green Belt does have to be sacrificed in order to meet the statutory obligations of the Strategic Housing Allocation it is essential that only the minimum amount of land is sacrificed and that this is done in locations and in such a way that harm and urban creep is kept to an absolute minimum.
All my responses to the questions in the consultation must be viewed in this light.