We now know the damage which Basildon Council intends to inflict on Billericay. At its meeting on 13 March, the Infrastructure, Growth and Development Committee of Basildon Council will vote on the draft Local Plan it intends it submit to the Planning Inspectorate. Assuming that Committee agrees, the Full Council will vote on the Plan on 22 March.
The complete document can be found here which downloads as a pdf.
The complete document can be found here which downloads as a pdf.
Here are the key issues affecting Billericay
The total of new housing proposed for Billericay is now 3,052. This is c.80% more than we were invited to comment on in the 2016 Regulation 18 Public Consultation.
The site allocation numbers used previously have been renumbered just to add confusion. The following table compares the current and previous details
The site allocation numbers used previously have been renumbered just to add confusion. The following table compares the current and previous details
All of the above houses will be on what is currently Green Belt.
Also;
We are still analysing whether the draft plan addresses crucial elements like station and high street parking, and rail capacity, but it’s not looking conclusive. Also, whether there are any plans for more employment in Billericay for all these additional residents.
- 32 self-build plots - 6 at Laindon Road, H22a; 20 at Maitland Lodge, H22b; 6 at The Mount, H22c.
- 15 pitches for Gypsies and Travellers are included in the H18 area, but exactly where is not stated.
- The primary and early years school to be located in site H18b is still included but as before funding to build and operate has yet to be secured.
- The relocation of the Cricket and Tennis Clubs is still a pivotal part of the plan, taking out even more Green Belt for their new locations.
We are still analysing whether the draft plan addresses crucial elements like station and high street parking, and rail capacity, but it’s not looking conclusive. Also, whether there are any plans for more employment in Billericay for all these additional residents.
Road Changes
The relief road from the A176 Laindon Road roundabout to the A129 London Road covering the H18b, c and d sites and linking to site H18a, remains in the plan and it’s route through Frith Wood is preferred despite all the warnings and outcry about ancient woodland destruction and ecological impact.
It is noted that the council finally accepts that this road is essential to open up the land for development which is clearly the overriding requirement. We have yet to find any traffic survey that supports this road in its ‘relief’ capacity and the benefits it could provide to the wider area.
There is a new proposal to make Norsey Road one way from High Street/Western Road towards Highland Grove. All traffic which currently uses Norsey Road to access the High Street and Western Road southbound from the Jacksons Lane direction will need to use St Andrews Drive. This also includes the removal of the 4 parking bays on Western Road just before the junction outside the parade of shops (near Bar Zero).
Other proposed road ‘improvements include a signalled junction at Outwood Common Road/Southend Road and a signalled junction at Southend Road/Hickstars Lane.
It is noted that the council finally accepts that this road is essential to open up the land for development which is clearly the overriding requirement. We have yet to find any traffic survey that supports this road in its ‘relief’ capacity and the benefits it could provide to the wider area.
There is a new proposal to make Norsey Road one way from High Street/Western Road towards Highland Grove. All traffic which currently uses Norsey Road to access the High Street and Western Road southbound from the Jacksons Lane direction will need to use St Andrews Drive. This also includes the removal of the 4 parking bays on Western Road just before the junction outside the parade of shops (near Bar Zero).
Other proposed road ‘improvements include a signalled junction at Outwood Common Road/Southend Road and a signalled junction at Southend Road/Hickstars Lane.
How does this all look?
The following maps have taken from the Basildon Council document and have been updated to show the proposed houses numbers:
