BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 108448

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Ceri Jones

The land proposed in Hockley Heath is disproportionate to the size of the settlement. The area cannot accommodate thousands of new homes and associated traffic. This is excessive and unjustifiable given local population and need. Potentially a smaller-scale use of some land parcels around this settlement and others would be acceptable. It is unclear how decisions will be made on which parcels should come forward. If they are prioritised according to HELAA Part B assessments only REFIDs 154 and 718 seem to meet the criteria.

The Green Belt Review shows all land parcels assisting in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment and contributing to the Green Belt. Purpose C can include impacts of infrastructure and boundary features on the parcel's connection the countryside. Your report notes that this is particularly relevant for the importance of some parcels in Hockley Heath, such as HOH1 which corresponds to REFID 178. The review states "the parcel/broad area forms an essential gap between neighbouring towns where development would significantly reduce the perceived or actual distance between the towns or would result in merging". It is unclear then why you feel this should be reallocated for building. Previous application W09/1248 for a marina development on REF278 was rejected on the grounds that there were no 'very special circumstances' outweighing the harm to the Green Belt. There continue to be no special circumstances and it is a waste of time and money to reassess sites that have already been rejected.

REFID 178 Hockley Heath contains part of the Canal Conservation Area. While it may be acceptable in some cases to reclassify Green Belt, large-scale building in a Conservation Area is unacceptable in character terms and I am disturbed that you are even considering it. The proposed developments in Hockley Heath would cause permanent, irreversible environmental and habitat damage from destroying agricultural, hedging and woodland. There are insufficient local amenities (GP surgeries, pharmacists, post office/bank, schools). Infrastructure is inadequate e.g. mains drainage and street lighting. Buses run only hourly and there is no train connection. Increasing traffic would lead to congestion at peak times and reduce air quality.