Call a halt to Chafford development

3:08pm Wednesday 11th July 2007

I'D like to bring to the attention of Gazette readers the intention for yet more development in Chafford Hundred.

Planning permission is being sought to build 129 apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms on the area of Howard Road immediately behind Bannatynes Leisure Centre.

This is clearly contrary to the message the residents of Chafford Hundred have been given by both Thurrock Council and Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation over the last couple of years, where there have been assurances issued that there will be no more housing without the necessary infrastructure being put in place first.

Indeed it's questionable whether this development itself even includes the infrastructure it needs, given the amount of apartments, is in excess of the amount of car parking spaces being proposed, further compounding Chafford Hundreds, density parking problems.

On May 4 this year the council disclosed to me that as of that date, 26 Chafford Hundred children, some 12per cent , were refused places in the three Chafford Hundred Primary schools due to there being no available spaces.

These children have been offered school places outside of Chafford Hundred elsewhere in the borough.

It's an absolute disgrace that further housing should be considered in Chafford Hundred, when already as of May we can't get the children of existing residents into our schools, even when in the case of the Campus Hundred Primary School, I'm led to believe we will have at least one empty classroom in September!

Given the private leisure use of Bannatynes and the complete deprivation of public leisure facilities on Chafford Hundred, would it not make more sense to let Chafford Hundred "breathe" and the local authorities to take over this land to provide something for the long suffering residents?

By example, it's worthy of note, that the only goal post available outside of school hours for the children of Chafford Hundred to use, is "chalked" on the back of the community centre and there's quite simply no outdoor facilities for those over the age of eleven at all.

The last thing needed is further housing until the promised facilities are put in place by those with the moral and statutory responsibility to do so.

The developers employed a communications company to do a short targeted display at Bannatynes Leisure Centre for three hours on Monday evening and also to come along to this weeks Community Forum Meeting.

Many residents weren't aware of this and missed the opportunity to have their voice heard. If you would like to make your feelings known on this development (good or bad) the questionnaire and full details for correspondence are available on the Chafford Hundred Comes First Website www.chcf.co.uk.

This is an ideal opportunity to have your voice heard and also discover the latest website supporting both Chafford Hundred businesses and residents alike, whilst keeping you informed and giving you a voice on such issues, developments and proposals going forward.

Greg Simpson, Chafford Hundred.