The Parish note that no significant development is proposed within the Local Plan for Doddinghurst, other than the consideration of ad-hoc proposals that may arise over time, and welcomes this given the nature of the village and the obvious constraints , that have been recognised within the Plan, to any significant development.
However, we are also aware of concerns being expressed elsewhere in the Borough and of the possible implications this may have for the village. The Parish Council therefore wish to make known its concerns in relation to the Local Plan should any changes, which may impact on Doddinghurst, be considered as a result of the consultation process.
The village of Doddinghurst is a self-contained community with a clear identity and well-defined boundaries to its built up area. The Parish Council wish to express its view that the maintenance fo both of these are paramount and would not s=wish to see any development that would be inconsistent with present nature of the village or that would extend or blur the boundary to current built up area.
Apart from its concerns that development would detrimentally alter the nature of the village community, the Parish Council has serious concerns that the infrastructure of the village could not support further growth because:
There is no main road access to the village. The Blackmore Road provides good access but the route is through Kelvedon Hatch and the busy junction with the A128. All other access routes to the village are little more than winding country lanes of limited capacity, particularly for larger vehicles.
It would be unacceptable if access to any development were to use already congested residential street. Access for any proposed development, ad-hoc or otherwise , must be directly onto one of the larger through roads within the village.
There is limited public transport tto the village.
The doctors surgery is already finding it difficult to cope with present demand.
The public utilities, particularly water and gas, are regularly under repair and it is understood that the sewerage system is at capacity.

The above concerns have already been identified within the local plan as reasons not to identify Doddinghurst as an area for planned development and the Parish Council would re-emphasise these constraints should the current Local Plan's recommendations be subject to any change.
Yours faithfully
Cllr Debbie Dicker
Chair of Doddinghurst Parish Council