MM78

Showing comments and forms 1 to 30 of 197

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29442

Received: 06/10/2021

Respondent: Dr. S.J. Jennings

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Flood risk does not cover risk to existing dwellings as will happen with R25 and R26 in Blackmore where 70 houses will be built uphill of the existing village which has already experienced flooding of homes several times - notably Aug. 1987 (15 houses and church) and June 2016 (3 houses).
Impassable road flooding is very common.

Full text:

Flood risk does not cover risk to existing dwellings as will happen with R25 and R26 in Blackmore where 70 houses will be built uphill of the existing village which has already experienced flooding of homes several times - notably Aug. 1987 (15 houses and church) and June 2016 (3 houses).
Impassable road flooding is very common.

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29470

Received: 30/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Andrew Borton

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Blackmore village is prone to flooding. It is inconceivable how the Local Plan has got this far with proposed housing seeming to in part ignore this. I cannot seem to locate an EIA prior to any plans being proposed. This seems completely out of sequence. Why propose something if there has been no prior critical assessments ?

Full text:

Blackmore village is prone to flooding. It is inconceivable how the Local Plan has got this far with proposed housing seeming to in part ignore this. I cannot seem to locate an EIA prior to any plans being proposed. This seems completely out of sequence. Why propose something if there has been no prior critical assessments ?

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29478

Received: 03/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Colin Herman

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Flood risk in Blackmore is already of major significance due to the proximity of the River Wid. A full investigation by the Environment Agency should be commissioned before any further sites are considered for development, particularly Sites R25 and R26. Flooding already exists in the vicinity of Red Rose lane, as highlighted in searches when I moved to Blackmore. Further development in this location is not sustainable as existing drainage can't cope already.

Full text:

Flood risk in Blackmore is already of major significance due to the proximity of the River Wid. A full investigation by the Environment Agency should be commissioned before any further sites are considered for development, particularly Sites R25 and R26. Flooding already exists in the vicinity of Red Rose lane, as highlighted in searches when I moved to Blackmore. Further development in this location is not sustainable as existing drainage can't cope already.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29497

Received: 03/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Richard Thwaite

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Blackmore is in a flood zone (flood zone 1 on the local Brentwood flood map). The sites R25 and R26 are on a higher level than the village, and the run-off water will flow down into the village and cause flooding to houses and damage to listed wooden tower in the church.

Full text:

I find it hard to believe that I actually have to object to this - Blackmore is a flood risk area! Blackmore has been flooded on several occasions going back 30 years, however recently the roads around Blackmore are flooded and impassable at least 3 times a year. When I moved in to the village 26 years ago, this was rarely the case (maybe once every 10 years). Now the roads are flooded SEVERAL times a year. IT IS CLEAR THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FLOODING!! So how can it even be considered to build more houses on a site that is above the village, which will create more run-off into the flood risk zone in the centre of the village, and not only flood houses there, but also the historic Grade I listed Church and it's irreplaceable wooden tower. My house is near to the river Wid, and this river always overflows it's banks when there has been heavy rain, due to run-off from the fields and the roads. By building on the fields off Red Rose Lane the water that would have been absorbed into the earth oil those fields will now become run-off since no matter how permeable the building sites are made, they will NEVER be as permeable as the existing fields. Ans the run-off will flow down into the river Wid and great further flooding into my property and the centre of the village. This is not acceptable.

Support

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29511

Received: 04/11/2021

Respondent: Essex County Council

Representation Summary:

3. Effective
4.Consistent with National Policy

ECC as Lead Local Flood Authority are satisfied in principle with the amended policy for NE06 Flood Risk.

Full text:

3. Effective
4.Consistent with National Policy

ECC as Lead Local Flood Authority are satisfied in principle with the amended policy for NE06 Flood Risk.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29611

Received: 05/11/2021

Respondent: Mrs Helen Whalley

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The sites R25 and R26 are not suitable for the building of this many houses because:
The sites in Blackmore proposed for housing (R25 and R26) are in an area that floods regularly, particularly R26, and the roads around it are then impassable.
The source of the River Wid is to the north of Blackmore and it goes under Red Rose Lane on the east side and over it when flooding.
If the land on these sites is built on it will be less absorbent than the green field currently there and the flood and drainage problems will get worse.

Full text:

The sites R25 and R26 are not suitable for the building of this many houses because:
The sites in Blackmore proposed for housing (R25 and R26) are in an area that floods regularly, particularly R26, and the roads around it are then impassable.
The source of the River Wid is to the north of Blackmore and it goes under Red Rose Lane on the east side and over it when flooding.
If the land on these sites is built on it will be less absorbent than the green field currently there and the flood and drainage problems will get worse.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29633

Received: 08/11/2021

Respondent: Essex County Council

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

3. Not Effective

ECC as Lead Local Flood Authority recommends that paragraph 8.57 is amended to provide the correct technical term for the assessment in relation to infiltration.

Full text:

3. Not Effective

ECC as Lead Local Flood Authority recommends that paragraph 8.57 is amended to provide the correct technical term for the assessment in relation to infiltration.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29639

Received: 08/11/2021

Respondent: Mrs Joanne Gill

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The changes do not go far enough. There are parts of Blackmore that site within flood risk zone 3 and any development on surrounding green belt will increase these risks. I appreciate further measures have been put in place but, based on the history of this LDP, do not believe that these will be properly carried out. ECC has reviewed the surface water flood risk but nothing has been done do review the fluvial risk from the River Wid which is significant and needs to be properly explored. The current plan puts existing homes at risk which is unacceptable.

Full text:

The changes do not go far enough. There are parts of Blackmore that site within flood risk zone 3 and any development on surrounding green belt will increase these risks. I appreciate further measures have been put in place but, based on the history of this LDP, do not believe that these will be properly carried out. ECC has reviewed the surface water flood risk but nothing has been done do review the fluvial risk from the River Wid which is significant and needs to be properly explored. The current plan puts existing homes at risk which is unacceptable.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29643

Received: 08/11/2021

Respondent: Mrs Elisabeth Taylor

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The changes do not go far enough. There are parts of Blackmore that site within flood risk zone 3 and any development on surrounding green belt will increase these risks. I appreciate further measures have been put in place but, based on the history of this LDP, do not believe that these will be properly carried out. ECC has reviewed the surface water flood risk but nothing has been done to review the fluvial risk from the River Wid which is significant and needs to be properly explored. The current plan puts existing homes at risk which is unacceptable.

Full text:

The changes do not go far enough. There are parts of Blackmore that site within flood risk zone 3 and any development on surrounding green belt will increase these risks. I appreciate further measures have been put in place but, based on the history of this LDP, do not believe that these will be properly carried out. ECC has reviewed the surface water flood risk but nothing has been done to review the fluvial risk from the River Wid which is significant and needs to be properly explored. The current plan puts existing homes at risk which is unacceptable.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29647

Received: 08/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Gary Taylor

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The changes do not go far enough. There are parts of Blackmore that site within flood risk zone 3 and any development on surrounding green belt will increase these risks. I appreciate further measures have been put in place but, based on the history of this LDP, do not believe that these will be properly carried out. ECC has reviewed the surface water flood risk but nothing has been done do review the fluvial risk from the River Wid which is significant and needs to be properly explored. The current plan puts existing homes at risk which is unacceptable.

Full text:

The changes do not go far enough. There are parts of Blackmore that site within flood risk zone 3 and any development on surrounding green belt will increase these risks. I appreciate further measures have been put in place but, based on the history of this LDP, do not believe that these will be properly carried out. ECC has reviewed the surface water flood risk but nothing has been done do review the fluvial risk from the River Wid which is significant and needs to be properly explored. The current plan puts existing homes at risk which is unacceptable.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29692

Received: 10/11/2021

Respondent: Dr. S.J. Jennings

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Why choose this critical drainage area endangering the existing historic village for development, let alone now increasing the number of houses planned to 70 or more.
As Churchwarden of St Laurence Church I am very concerned that we do all we can to prevent it being flooded again.

Full text:

Blackmore is a "critical drainage area" subject to frequent road flooding with vehicles often stranded - but more importantly - homes being flooded - particularly Aug. 1987 when 15 houses and the Grade 1 St Laurence Church were severely flooded. Some lesser flooding of homes occurred in June 2016. The drainage situation remains the same whereas many more impervious surfaces have been created since then by about 20 new houses, many extensions and parking areas. The village sits in a bowl of land with surface water draining from west, north and east into the village and exiting to the south via The Moat as the River Wid.
The run off of surface water from the impervious surfaces of the houses, drives and roads of Sites R25 and R26, which are north of the existing village (i.e. uphill) will markedly increase the risk if flooding in the current village.
Climate Change will cause more extremes of rainfall.

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29720

Received: 10/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Conrad Dixon

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The development will increase the flood risk to people, property and infrastructure in Blackmore, affecting the development itself and the area around the Green and Church Street, including the conservation area. Building over fields that act to contain and attenuate water flow will increase surface water run-off and exacerbate existing flooding problems in these areas. Safe access and egress will not be possible in these conditions when the roads on the Eastern side to Chelmsford and Ingatestone become impassable, which is happening with increasing frequency. The proposals should be referred to the Environment agency before any further steps are taken.

Full text:

The development will increase the flood risk to people, property and infrastructure in Blackmore, affecting the development itself and the area around the Green and Church Street, including the conservation area. Building over fields that act to contain and attenuate water flow will increase surface water run-off and exacerbate existing flooding problems in these areas. Safe access and egress will not be possible in these conditions when the roads on the Eastern side to Chelmsford and Ingatestone become impassable, which is happening with increasing frequency. The proposals should be referred to the Environment agency before any further steps are taken.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29744

Received: 11/11/2021

Respondent: Dr Murray Wood

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The Environment Agency must be engaged and an extensive report published. The River Wid regularly floods large parts of the village. This cannot have been properly accounted for because nobody with the requisite knowledge and experience would assert that severe flooding was not a real threat to Blackmore. This demonstrates insufficient due diligence rendering the LDP unsound and not positively prepared.
In an age where flooding occurs more frequently (climate change), it beggars belief that a LDP could even be considered without the an extremely thorough assessment of the risks and contributing factors. This has not been sufficiently carried out.

Full text:

The Environment Agency must be engaged and an extensive report published. The River Wid regularly floods large parts of the village. This cannot have been properly accounted for because nobody with the requisite knowledge and experience would assert that severe flooding was not a real threat to Blackmore. This demonstrates insufficient due diligence rendering the LDP unsound and not positively prepared.
In an age where flooding occurs more frequently (climate change), it beggars belief that a LDP could even be considered without the an extremely thorough assessment of the risks and contributing factors. This has not been sufficiently carried out.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29760

Received: 18/11/2021

Respondent: Mrs Judith Bowland

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

If the 2 fields suggested are covered in concrete where will the rain drain to except into the central green resulting in extra flooding. 2 extra ponds will not solve this problem or we would have already done so.

Full text:

See attached

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29768

Received: 18/11/2021

Respondent: Bernard Allen

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Environment, despite repeated village of Blackmore. This issue has never been addressed, everyone passing the buck. No report ever drawn up by Environment Agency.

Full text:

See attached

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29773

Received: 19/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Callum Cartwright

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

We live in Red Rose Lane which along with ponds floods every time heavy rain, building more houses in flood risk area cannot be right or even comply with regulations.

Full text:

See attached

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29777

Received: 19/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Scott Gosling

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Blackmore has known flooding issues. The proposed developments will only exacerbate the issues. I also have grave concerns about the suggestion of access to the proposed Orchard Piece/Red Rose Land field via Orchard Piece. Currently Orchard Piece is a quiet cul-de-sac where children play if this was allowed to become an access route it would make it dangerous for children due to the increased traffic and destroy our current peace and quiet.

Full text:

See attached

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29781

Received: 19/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Christopher Gill

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Unsound due to the massive flood risk at both sites in Blackmore and to the rest of the village. The measures proposed to review and mitigate this risk do not give any reassurance or guarantee it will be dealt with. It is unsound as nobody has taken into account the previous evidence of flooding in Blackmore.

Full text:

See attached

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29789

Received: 10/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Anthony Cross

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The continued inclusion of sites R25 and R26 in the document is in contravention to the stated requirement for new developments “to avoid areas of flood risk”. Recent and historical events prove that Blackmore’s highways and village centre are susceptible to flooding – a situation which would not be improved by the allocation of houses to these sites. Indeed the development of sites R25 and R26 would remove significant areas of natural drainage and increase surface run-off, thus increasing the "flood risk elsewhere", as they are uphill of the village centre.

Full text:

MM107 - The proposed amendment to allocate 40 homes to this site (R25) represents an arbitrary number not supported by any objectively assessed housing needs investigation. Further, being within a Critical Drainage Area, and Blackmore already experiencing regular instances of flooding on its highways and (less) regular flooding of the village centre, no increase in surface run-off should be allowed; the only way to prevent this is to retain this green field site in its current undeveloped state. Vehicular access to the site via either Redrose Lane or Nine Ashes Road is inappropriate: Redrose Lane due to its limited width and popularity with walkers and horse-riders; Nine Ashes Road due to the proximity of any entry point to the village Primary School entrance. The village of Blackmore has been incorrectly categorised as a Category 3 settlement. Being a small rural village with poor public transport, limited shops (it has no local shopping parade), limited job and amenity facilities, where residents rely on nearby settlements for services (e.g. it has no health facilities), it should be classified as a Category 4 settlement and development of this green field site should not be permitted. No new homes should be allocated to site R25.

MM108 - The proposed amendment to allocate 30 homes to this site (R26) represents an arbitrary number not supported by any objectively assessed housing needs investigation. Further, being within a Critical Drainage Area, and Blackmore already experiencing regular instances of flooding on its highways and (less) regular flooding of the village centre, no increase in surface run-off should be allowed; the only way to prevent this is to retain this green field site in its current undeveloped state. Vehicular access to the site via either Orchard Piece, Fingrith Hall Lane, or Redress Lane is inappropriate: Orchard Piece due to dangers arising from the volume of additional traffic through an already established housing estate; Fingrith Hall Lane due to the proximity of any entry point to existing roads joining Fingrith Hall Lane; and Redrose Lane due to its limited width and popularity with walkers and horse-riders. The village of Blackmore has been incorrectly categorised as a Category 3 settlement. Being a small rural village with poor public transport, limited shops (it has no local shopping parade), limited job and amenity facilities, where residents rely on nearby settlements for services (e.g. it has no health facilities), it should be classified as a Category 4 settlement and development of this green field site should not be permitted. No new homes should be allocated to site R26.

MM81 – Neither the “exceptional circumstances” nor “very special circumstances” have been demonstrated with regards to sites R25 and R26. Without an objectively assessed housing needs investigation, it cannot be proven that the development of sites R25 and R26 are not inappropriate.

MM78 – The continued inclusion of sites R25 and R26 in the document is in contravention to the stated requirement for new developments “to avoid areas of flood risk”. Recent and historical events prove that Blackmore’s highways and village centre are susceptible to flooding – a situation which would not be improved by the allocation of houses to these sites. Indeed the development of sites R25 and R26 would remove significant areas of natural drainage and increase surface run-off, thus increasing the "flood risk elsewhere", as they are uphill of the village centre.

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29794

Received: 23/11/2021

Respondent: Blackmore Village Hall/Parish Council

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Blackmore Village is situated in a bowl of impervious London City and historically has been flooded severely in recent years. With the present issue of climate change this is a situation that will only get worse. To place a large development in this area will exacerbate this situation.

Full text:

see attached

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29816

Received: 24/11/2021

Respondent: Mr John Hughes

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The safeguard that where a “development may have the potential to impact on the CDA in respect of surface water flooding. As a result of this, the site will require an individually designed mitigation scheme to address this issue” has been removed. Blackmore has regularly suffered from flooding issues. These have gradually worsened over the past few years.

Full text:

Please see attached representation regarding the Brentwood Borough Council Local Plan Consultation - Potential Main Modifications.
The document contains 2 representations. Regards, John Hughes
MM5 - This modification is unsound as some of the categorisations are clearly wrong.
Blackmore has been included as Settlement Hierarchy 3. Although it has a small primary school (which is full) there are no health facilities – the nearest doctor surgery is 2 miles away.
There is a very limited bus service. Other villages in hierarchy 3 have a parade of shops and significantly higher dwellings. Many also have small industrial areas nearby. Blackmore only has one shop.
Blackmore needs to be re-classified as Settlement Hierarchy 4.
It should be fully assessed for suitability and sustainability specifically regarding the infrastructure required to support any new development.
MM78 - The safeguard that where a “development may have the potential to impact on the CDA in respect of surface water flooding. As a result of this, the site will require an individually designed mitigation scheme to address this issue” has been removed.

Blackmore has regularly suffered from flooding issues. These have gradually worsened over the past few years as a result of 1,global warming and 2, the reduction of grass / garden areas due to a combination of new housing, small properties being knocked down and replaced by much bigger properties, home extensions and paving driveways etc. The knock on effect of these are that there is more water around and that water has less area to soak away in. Building further new homes in the village uphill of the centre will inevitably cause more and worse flooding in the centre of the village unless a serious mitigation scheme is investigated and put in place.
Re-instate the requirement for an individually designed mitigation scheme to address flooding issues. Alternately scrap the proposed development in Blackmore completely.

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29821

Received: 24/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Gary Sanders

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Blackmore has always had a problem with flooding, and concreting over 2 large fields will just compound the situation. The idea of digging 2 ponds on each field is pointless; when there is heavy rain the water table is at ground surface level. With extreme weather becoming more frequent, the flooding situation will only get worse.

Full text:

MM1/MM2
Blackmore village is very remote. It is a long way from towns and railway stations, the bus service is almost non-existent and the lanes are too narrow and dangerous to walk. It is unsuitable for commuting and the car is the only way to travel if you live in Blackmore. More houses would therefore result in more vehicles, congestion and pollution (70 houses would result in approximately 140 more vehicles in the village). This goes against BBC’s objectives and the Government’s aim for reducing unnecessary car journeys.
The loss of 2 large green belt fields to houses would result in the loss of homes for foxes, hedgehogs, voles and badgers, amongst others.

MM5
Blackmore is not a class 3 village like Doddinghurst, it should be recognised as a class 4 village. Blackmore has 1 teashop, 1 small shop and a part time hair salon so cannot be classified the same as larger villages such as Kelvedon Hatch and Doddinghurst who have a parade of shops, a lot more houses, are closer to towns and stations, and have far better and safer road links.

MM78
Blackmore has always had a problem with flooding, and concreting over 2 large fields will just compound the situation. The idea of digging 2 ponds on each field is pointless; when there is heavy rain the water table is at ground surface level. With extreme weather becoming more frequent, the flooding situation will only get worse.

MM81
I do not think the Exceptional Circumstances Test was carried out with any thoroughness. If it had been it would have identified, and included in the LDP, the brown field sites in Stondon Massey and Red Road Lane, Blackmore.

MM107/108
Due to the exceptionally high level of concerns by most of Blackmore’s residents, BBC reduced the number of houses to be built from 70 to 50. For the inspector to increase the number back to 70 begs the question why ask the public for a response to the LDP if you are then going to ignore that response?

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29836

Received: 25/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Graham Hesketh

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

At present heavy rain brings with it inevitable flooded areas. If these proposals are adopted then an investigation by the Environmental Agency must be a priority before sites R25/26 are allocated. The absence of engagement with the local community and its knowledge when such events occur is a serious omission of the soundness of the LDP. Evidence suggests there has been no SuDS developed or invented that will absorb the surface water. The Sustainability Appraisal (2021) suggests that ’the proposal to increase housing density in Blackmore potentially gives rise to a degree of risk and negative effects’

Full text:

I am writing in response to the multitude of “Main Modifications”(MM) arising from the 8 month public examination of the flawed Brentwood Borough Council’s Local Development Plan. Before starting on my comments I think it is now appropriate to add the following words, maybe of wisdom, that have been uttered recently by a certain politician that certainly according to the Council of the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) puts a different light on the subject of housing proposals.
At his speech to the Conservative Party Conference in early October 2021 the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, asserted that that there was no reason that the countryside should be lost to new unaffordable homes, saying ‘you can… see how much room there is to build the homes that young families need… beautiful homes, on brownfield sites in places where homes make sense’. He could not be more explicit – ‘there is no reason to allow the countryside and local green spaces to be opened up ‘to unscrupulous developers building unaffordable homes.’ This statement from the CPRE now appears to be massively encouraging for local groups and campaigners up and down the country who have fought tooth and nail to protect their local green spaces and to continue to have a say in the planning system which after reading the MM has looked to have been ignored. Perhaps now local groups and campaigners can finally be heard rather than “unscrupulous developers” who are determined to turn our green belt into a mass of houses without due consideration of the needs and desires of the local community, as it looks like in the MM which suggests a reversion back to the original plan of building 40 houses on site R25 (up from 30) and 30 on site R26 (up from 20).
MM14-19 Flood risk and drainage issues

MM14C
Page 37- Over the 25 years of living here in Blackmore it has become far more obvious that the sewerage system around Blackmore is or is now in a state where over capacity is apparent. I believe this is one of the reasons why Blackmore was previously not considered a suitable site for further development. However, Blackmore was suddenly included in the Local Development Plan as a result of the volte-face at Reg 18.

46 MM19G
Pages 45- Blackmore has a critical drainage problem which will be further hindered in its capacity to cope if green fields with their permeable surfaces are replaced and 70 new homes built upon them. I doubt whether a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) will provide a workable solution.

Page 161 MM78
At present heavy rain (and with the prospect of climate change this increases) brings with it inevitable flooded areas within the village which are well documented. If and I say this with much reservation, these proposals are adopted then surely an investigation by the Environmental Agency must be a priority before sites R25/26 are adopted into the final LDP. The absence of engagement with the local community and the knowledge it has when such events occur is a serious omission of the soundness of the LDP.
Page 164
During the December/February hearings in 2020/21 heavy rain once again highlighted the problems with flooding in this area. The source of this flooding once the rain falls is the River Wid which rises just north of Blackmore and flows under as well as over the eastern side of Redrose Lane. Whilst these hearings were going on Redrose lane was impassable on 10 separate occasions. Access to site R26 from the Chelmsford Road was nigh impossible. Building on this site even with the ‘mitigration’ measures put forward is a poor consideration of judgment as emergency vehicles could be impeded by ongoing flooding which is certainly not going to improve. There is also a major consideration of using Redrose Lane as the access point to this proposed site due not only to the flooding nature but also to the danger to the frequent walkers, cyclists and horse riders who use this narrow lane which is just about safe for two normal sized vehicles to use. As for gaining access into site R26 through Orchard Piece, then there must be for the residents of this quiet cul-de-sac a great possibility of the destruction of their normal peace and quiet as well as more traffic with all its potential dangers.

Getting back to the flooding issue/and surface water ran off which is an ongoing event here in Blackmore evidence suggests there has been no SuDS yet developed or invented that will absorb the vast and significant levels of surface water the village has seen over the 25 years I have lived here and has suffered from. It will certainly not be resolved by allowing over 4 hectares of quality farmland sitting uphill from the village in the Green Belt to be concreted and tarmaced over. Documentary evidence submitted with pictures of flooding over the years, climate change and all that comes with it and a recent Sustainability Appraisal by AECOM (September 2021) suggesting that ’the proposal to increase housing density in Blackmore potentially gives rise to a degree of risk and negative effects’ (2.15.2.) This certainly gives the impression this is an issue that is not going away and AECOM further state ‘it will be important to receive the views of the Environmental Agency through the forthcoming consultation’.



MM81
Page 171-

The term ‘exceptional circumstances’ is as broad as it is long but sites R25/26 are suggested areas that should be released due to them. What is the definition of this term? What is meant by ‘Redrose Lane is a defendable boundary’ when there is existing housing on the north side and a new development on a brownfield site has just been completed and is now fully occupied. (Surely this development in which the Blackmore Village Heritage Association supported should be taken into consideration and deducted from the proposed 70 houses and not snaffled up as a windfall site by the BBC) Furthermore, brownfield sites have been identified by local groups but dismissed by the local council surely flying in the face of the Prime Minister assertion that no green fields should be built upon. Having listened to the session with the Brentwood Borough Council, developers and their legal teams on the 3rd February 2021 I can find no substance in their arguments as to what are ‘exceptional circumstances’ and can only conclude this is a developer led submission.

MM107/108
Pages 236-241 relating to R25/26 land to north of Blackmore declares that this site is indeed located in a ‘critical drainage area’ which relates to previous comments made above. With the increase in the numbers of dwellings from 50 to 70 there is a greater risk factor to regard flooding, drainage capacity, infrastructure issues regarding road and road safety, school and health services which are already under severe strain. There is no parade of shops but 2 public houses, a small Co-op for day to day needs and a tea shop/café. The BBC’s focused Consultation in November 2019 recognized the concerns about infrastructure but again the National Planning Policy Frame (NPPF) appears to be retrofitted to accommodate these plans, although with the concerns of our PM in his October address there is a glimmer of hope for a complete rethink here!

Annexe 2 MM116 Appendix 2

The Strategic Policy BE09 refers to “Sustainable Means of Travel and Walkable Streets” but with 70 extra homes (plus the others on the previously mentioned brownfield site) this will inevitably led to more cars, journeys congestion to the village centre and more pollution in the most remote part of the borough surely flying in the face of the concerns that will be addressed at Cop26 in November. Furthermore, the narrow lanes around the village with no pavements do not make it an ideal walkable area but highly dangerous with the ever increasing traffic that is inevitable from such developments, with poor public transport set within a rural environment.
SO3 considers opportunities to “Deliver Sustainable Communities”. Blackmore is already a sustainable thriving village in what is described a “Borough of Villages” but building 70 extra homes will not increase employment opportunities or enhance community facilities that are already overstretched. Other villages nearby (Stondon Massey for example) do need regeneration and are calling out for it.

Other reference points in the MM paper as in Page 3 like “promoting sustainable mobility” cannot be made by building in Blackmore. On Page 4 “Creating environmental net gain “ must be taken with a pinch of salt as the taking away of 4 hectares of green land will DESTROY wildlife habitat not enhance it.

Looking again at the Sustainability Appraisal September 2021 Page 5 comments on “Community and wellbeing”. I suggest BBC has little understanding of the community that the inhabitants of Blackmore have built up here over the decades. How the report can comment that it is “difficult to conclude that concerns are significant” is not correct. (see statement by Boris Johnson below)
On Page 9 “Omission Sites” are mentioned. What a contradictory state of affairs when you have a long standing site in Honeypot Lane and able to accommodate about 200 homes voted out of the LDP at an ECM in November 2018 due to site access and being on the Green Belt whilst Blackmore is voted in despite even having more difficult access issues and wait for it being on the Green Belt. Adding to the village another 20% of housing stock to the 350 already here flies in the face of logic.

Before I finish let me refer you once again to Boris Johnson who said this in 2006.

“The trouble with her (economist Kate Barker) proposal to develop the less idyllic pieces of the Green Belt is that one man’s pylon-infested dump is another man’s rural dream; and no sooner do the Barker homes march on to the pylon-infested dump than the developers start looking greedily at the really green spaces nearby, and soon big yellow machines are slicing up the fields and linking one village with the next”. Today 70 homes tomorrow many, many more and probably not affordable as 25% target of the proposed 70 new homes to go to locals was instantly dismissed by the planning inspector and the Council’s own barrister as ridiculous. At least we agree on something!

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29843

Received: 25/11/2021

Respondent: Ms Victoria Sanders

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Flooding is always an issue in Blackmore, with very little being done to prevent it. The floods have become more frequent in recent years, occurring multiple times during the year, and with the worsening climate crisis and extreme weather conditions, this situation will only worsen. This development would see two fields concreted over which will make the situation even worse. I understand there are plans to add two ponds on each field, which just seems bizarre, as this will not help in any way. The water table is at ground level so heavy rainfall would be a big problem.

Full text:

MM1/MM2
The village of Blackmore does not have the capacity to copy with so many more houses. Public transport is very minimal, with only an infrequent bus service that goes to other nearby villages. There is no train station and the roads are narrow with many blind bends which makes them dangerous to walk. The roads them selves are in desperate need of repair, and will only get worse with the increase in traffic that 70 more houses will make. It is reasonable to assume each house will have at least two cars, which means around 140 more cars will be travelling the roads everyday, increasing congestion and pollution. This goes against BBC’s objectives and the Government’s aim for reducing unnecessary car journeys. That is not to mention the loss of the two greenbelt fields, which would mean a loss of homes for the local wildlife.

MM5
Blackmore only has a small local shop, a tea shop and a part time hair dressers so should be recognized as a class 4 village. It is nothing like the nearby villages of Kelvedon Hatch and Doddinghust, which are class 3. Aside from having many more shops and amenities, their roads are in much better condition and are much safer.

MM78
Flooding is always an issue in Blackmore, with very little (if anything at all) being done to prevent it. The floods have become more frequent in recent years, occurring multiple times during the year, and with the worsening climate crisis and extreme weather conditions, this situation will only worsen. This development would see two fields concreted over which will make the situation even worse. I understand there are plans to add two ponds on each field, which just seems bizarre, as this will not help in any way. The water table is at ground level so heavy rainfall would be a big problem.

MM81
I do not think the Exceptional Circumstances Test was carried out thouroughly, overwise it would have identified, and included in the LDP, the brown field sites in Stondon Massey and Red Rose Lane, Blackmore.

MM107/108

After an outcry from the residents of Blackmore, the BBC decreased the planned number of homes from 70 to 50. However this has since been put back to 70 again. I don’t know why we were asked for a public response for it to then be ignored. It feels like a very sneaky and underhanded tactic used to ignore the valid and real concerns put forward by the people of Blackmore, who will be the ones to suffer should this proposed plan go ahead.

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29862

Received: 25/11/2021

Respondent: Mrs Edna Williams

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Flood Risk. No assessment of specific local risk. Climate change suggests that inland water levels will rise causing greater damage. This needs assessing.

Full text:

See attached representation

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29892

Received: 26/11/2021

Respondent: Miss Isabella Thomasina Gahagan

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Blackmore is considered a critical drainage area. Inspectors have removed the comment that the development may impact surface water flooding. Fluvial flooding also ignored. Taking away 2 large fields would make the situation worse. Suggestion is given to dig 2 large ponds however when there is heavy rain water already sits at ground surface level.

Full text:

See attached representation

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29900

Received: 26/11/2021

Respondent: Miss Claire Grant

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Impact of drainage, flooding and sewage due to the proposed development.

Full text:

See scanned representation

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29903

Received: 26/11/2021

Respondent: Ms Jill Griffiths

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

The water table in the back garden is 2'6". The closer you get to the church the higher the water table 9".
A few weeks ago we had heavy rain. Down our road all front gardens were under water, so suspect back gardens were too. Road by the pond was also flooded. Orchard Piece end of Red Rose Lane was impassible and there was flooding the other end of Red Rose near village hall.
How prepared are the council to pay for residential damage and damage in our school, shop, plus the medieval church.
Should be planting trees not concrete.

Full text:

See attached representation

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29909

Received: 26/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Nicholas Griffiths

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Village always been designated flood risk by Government and insurance companies. Removing and concreting over 2 fields will make matters worse.

Full text:

See attached representation

Attachments:

Object

Schedule of Potential Main Modifications

Representation ID: 29915

Received: 26/11/2021

Respondent: Mr Marcus Forstner

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Representation Summary:

Blackmore has always been with a high risk area to surface flooding due to the surrounding fields. With more rain predicted in future years this situation will only worsen.

Full text:

See attached representation

Attachments: