A HUGE development of thousands of homes will bring a new bypass to Southend and Rochford, furious campaigners believe. The new neighbourhood of 7,254 homes has been mooted for greenbelt land between the two towns, with fears the long talked about bypass would have to be included. The route, which could take drivers from Shoebury, through Rochford and past Maldon, has been spoken of in Southend for years. This comes as the Green Party launched a campaign and petition against the development, which would sit between Sutton Road and Star Lane, just north of the A1159 and A13. The petition opposes both the bypass and the new neighbourhood.
A HUGE development of thousands of homes will bring a new bypass to Southend and Rochford, furious campaigners believe. The new neighbourhood of 7,254 homes has been mooted for greenbelt land between the two towns, with fears the long talked about bypass would have to be included. The route, which could take drivers from Shoebury, through Rochford and past Maldon, has been spoken of in Southend for years. This comes as the Green Party launched a campaign and petition against the development, which would sit between Sutton Road and Star Lane, just north of the A1159 and A13. The petition opposes both the bypass and the new neighbourhood.
Residents have branded the option for a new neighbourhood on green belt land as a “terrible idea”. Southend Council is working on its local plan which decides where housing is allocated over the next few years. One of the options being presented is a “new neighbourhood” of 7,254 homes on green belt land between Sutton Road and Star Lane, just north of the A1159 and A13. The proposals for 1,461 new homes at Fossetts Farm, which would go alongside a new Southend United football stadium, would be included. While no planning applications are lodged, residents fear more homes on the land will cause chaos for Southend and Rochford.
Residents have branded the option for a new neighbourhood on green belt land as a “terrible idea”. Southend Council is working on its local plan which decides where housing is allocated over the next few years. One of the options being presented is a “new neighbourhood” of 7,254 homes on green belt land between Sutton Road and Star Lane, just north of the A1159 and A13. The proposals for 1,461 new homes at Fossetts Farm, which would go alongside a new Southend United football stadium, would be included. While no planning applications are lodged, residents fear more homes on the land will cause chaos for Southend and Rochford.
The proposals for 1,461 new homes at Fossetts Farm, which would go alongside a new Southend United football stadium, would be included. While no planning applications are lodged, residents fear more homes on the land will cause chaos for Southend and Rochford. Christine Austin, co-founder of the Rochford Supporters group, said: “The infrastructure for our roads is inadequate. It’s rural roads taking on 2021 traffic, they are not capable of taking on more traffic. “They are trying to elongate London into the suburbs. We need to step up and say ‘no, we can’t do it, it’s impossible’. “When are they going to stop? I don’t think they will at all. All they’re doing is joining up the dots, but it’s like an urban jungle, there’s no pathways between it.”