‘A very concerning time’ for Rochford, says council leader

The leader of Rochford District Council has highlighted the risk to the area from possible intensive housing development.

Her message comes in the wake of a range of proposals that include up to 2,000 new homes at Dollymans Farm in Rawreth, 1,000 at Poynters Lane in Great Wakering, 900 in Rayleigh and 300 north of Brays Lane, Rochford.

Danielle Belton is reported by Essex Live saying: “I’m against all development on our Green Belt sites, even if they meet 50 per cent affordable housing.

“It’s my belief we need to exhaust all brownfield in our district first. I recognise developers are trying to be sympathetic to the area with their design; however, we are facing an onslaught right across the district and we need a joined-up approach to ensure suitable infrastructure is provided to support the developments that are approved.

“I think it’s a very concerning time for the district and something I warned about consistently over the last 18 months, because developers are taking the opportunity between Local Plans and submitting speculative planning applications.

“That, on top of a changing government policy that allows for Green Belt development, means the whole district is at high risk.”