Site Allocation Policies (relating to Billericay)
H1, Southeast Billericay
Probably the most environmentally devastating proposal in the borough, a vast area of sprawl extending nearly two mile from close to the railway line in the north, to the A129\Barleylands Road junction in the south.
There would be 2580 to 2750 houses – the size of a new town. How is this justified?
Probably the most environmentally devastating proposal in the borough, a vast area of sprawl extending nearly two mile from close to the railway line in the north, to the A129\Barleylands Road junction in the south.
There would be 2580 to 2750 houses – the size of a new town. How is this justified?
The area is a complex mish-mash of landholdings controlled by different developers with competing interests. Because of this it is intended that the land be developed according to a cohesive ‘Masterplan’. Sadly this is unlikely to be effective. Once the land has been removed from Green Belt there will be no leverage over the developers and a reasonable Masterplan will not be achievable, and a chaotic outcome seems most likely.
Nature and biodiversity
Developing the northern area would sever, or at best greatly weaken the wildlife corridors between Mill Meadows and Norsey Wood – which as Sites of Special Scientific Interest are among the most important in the borough.
There are some vague platitudes about preserving an open corridor from Mill Meadows to the wider countryside, but this is clearly seen as a nuisance to be downplayed.
Outrageously the 16 hectare nature reserve on the east side of Greens Farm Lane, intended to mitigate harms to the wildlife corridor, has been dropped – again!
The north and centre of this area are especially important to wildlife with Dormice, various reptiles and a rage of other species.
The area also includes valuable secondary woodland – Grimshill Wood and Andrews Wood – whose setting and connectivity should be protected.
Roads
The A129 Southend Road has many challenges around South Green and also at its Sun Corner junctions at the top of Bell Hill.
Outwood Common Road, Outwood Farm Road and Coxes Farm Road are ill suited to small scale growth let alone the vast growth suggested here. Their junctions with each other and the A129 are completely inadequate.
Social Infrastructure
Space for a school is mentioned in the south of the area, but no effort to secure an extension, or even provide a southern entrance to Sunnymede School.
Policy H1 includes a commitment to retaining a green link to the remaining countryside from Mill Meadows.
The whole vast area of H1 would be removed from Green Belt upon adoption of the Plan, so we cannot see a way in which the green link part of Policy H1 is "Effective".
Without specifically identifying and protecting the corridor in a Masterplan before Examination in Public, the aspiration is just not deliverable.
The various competing landowners will put in applications and the green link will inevitably be closed or severely degraded.
“Effective” is one of the four tests of soundness. So in your submission, you may – if you agree with us – like to say that Policy H1 isn’t ‘Sound’ because it isn’t ‘Effective".
Nature and biodiversity
Developing the northern area would sever, or at best greatly weaken the wildlife corridors between Mill Meadows and Norsey Wood – which as Sites of Special Scientific Interest are among the most important in the borough.
There are some vague platitudes about preserving an open corridor from Mill Meadows to the wider countryside, but this is clearly seen as a nuisance to be downplayed.
Outrageously the 16 hectare nature reserve on the east side of Greens Farm Lane, intended to mitigate harms to the wildlife corridor, has been dropped – again!
The north and centre of this area are especially important to wildlife with Dormice, various reptiles and a rage of other species.
The area also includes valuable secondary woodland – Grimshill Wood and Andrews Wood – whose setting and connectivity should be protected.
Roads
The A129 Southend Road has many challenges around South Green and also at its Sun Corner junctions at the top of Bell Hill.
Outwood Common Road, Outwood Farm Road and Coxes Farm Road are ill suited to small scale growth let alone the vast growth suggested here. Their junctions with each other and the A129 are completely inadequate.
Social Infrastructure
Space for a school is mentioned in the south of the area, but no effort to secure an extension, or even provide a southern entrance to Sunnymede School.
Policy H1 includes a commitment to retaining a green link to the remaining countryside from Mill Meadows.
The whole vast area of H1 would be removed from Green Belt upon adoption of the Plan, so we cannot see a way in which the green link part of Policy H1 is "Effective".
Without specifically identifying and protecting the corridor in a Masterplan before Examination in Public, the aspiration is just not deliverable.
The various competing landowners will put in applications and the green link will inevitably be closed or severely degraded.
“Effective” is one of the four tests of soundness. So in your submission, you may – if you agree with us – like to say that Policy H1 isn’t ‘Sound’ because it isn’t ‘Effective".
H2A (Kennel Lane) and H2B, West of Great Burstead
H2A is the 180 home development currently being built at Kennel Lane.
H2A is the 180 home development currently being built at Kennel Lane.
H2B is a new area which would deliver 225 to 250 homes – though it’s not clear where road access would come from.
H2B (would like H2A) clearly rely on Kennel lane, which is a serious problem due it winding, undulating, flood prone nature and blind summits.
Other routes to local services (South Green and Billericay High Street, also rely on constrained routes and junctions)
The area around the Kennel Lane\Church Street\Trinity Road junction has experience several flood events in recent years and it is feared that these two developments will worsen them.
That issue could be resolved if the allocation included attenuation ponds to capture excess flow from both watercourses – as was proposed under the cancelled “Great Burstead Flood Alleviation Scheme”.
H2B (would like H2A) clearly rely on Kennel lane, which is a serious problem due it winding, undulating, flood prone nature and blind summits.
Other routes to local services (South Green and Billericay High Street, also rely on constrained routes and junctions)
The area around the Kennel Lane\Church Street\Trinity Road junction has experience several flood events in recent years and it is feared that these two developments will worsen them.
That issue could be resolved if the allocation included attenuation ponds to capture excess flow from both watercourses – as was proposed under the cancelled “Great Burstead Flood Alleviation Scheme”.
H3, South of Great Burstead
1360 to 1450 houses on the fields in the land south of Great Burstead and east of Noak Hill
Huge impacts on the landscape and loss of farmland.
Impact on the setting of the Great Burstead Consevation Area (architectural)
No space allocated for a school.
No details on road access but presumably this very large allocation will mostly link to the A129 Southend Road.
Impact on the setting of the Great Burstead Consevation Area (architectural)
No space allocated for a school.
No details on road access but presumably this very large allocation will mostly link to the A129 Southend Road.
H4, West of Laindon Road
This accessible, biodiverse Green Wedge which reaches from the open countryside to the Billericay High street Conservation Areas (architecture) is allocated for 700 to 730 houses.
Most of the land is covered by the following planning applications:
The setting of the very popular footpath from Laindon Road to Frithwood Lane adversely harmed further.
Townscapes
Development would mean Billericay and Little Burstead come close to coalescing.
There would be an adverse impact on the Little Burstead and Billericay High Street architectural conservation areas.
Frith Wood (Ancient Woodland) would be preserved but closely hemmed in on three sides by development.
Development would come even closer to Laindon Common – which includes very important lowland heath habitat.
The wildlife corridors between Frith Wood and Laindon Common significantly weakened.
The wildlife corridors between these two invaluable habitats and Mill Meadows SSSI (to the NE) and also countryside to the SE very badly affected.
Most of the land is covered by the following planning applications:
- 250 houses already approved by the planning committee in the north – with access to Laindon Road. This approval will result in the narrowing of Laindon Road to allow for a cycle lane.
- 420 houses rejected by the planning committee but which is likely to go to appeal. Access to this southern section would be from the A176 roundabout (this would be a very large number of houses to have a single access point).
The setting of the very popular footpath from Laindon Road to Frithwood Lane adversely harmed further.
Townscapes
Development would mean Billericay and Little Burstead come close to coalescing.
There would be an adverse impact on the Little Burstead and Billericay High Street architectural conservation areas.
Frith Wood (Ancient Woodland) would be preserved but closely hemmed in on three sides by development.
Development would come even closer to Laindon Common – which includes very important lowland heath habitat.
The wildlife corridors between Frith Wood and Laindon Common significantly weakened.
The wildlife corridors between these two invaluable habitats and Mill Meadows SSSI (to the NE) and also countryside to the SE very badly affected.
H5, Land Adjacent to Tye Common Rd and South of London Rd
1720 to 1890 houses - a New Town sized development to be bolted onto a part of Billericay
The road network in this area is already severely constrained, especially the London Road\Mountnessing Road and Harts Corner (London Road\Western Road\Tye Common Road) junctions.
The policy recognises that local roads are inadequate but is incredibly vague in what can, should or will happen.
“H5 is reliant on new road infrastructure and has not yet been subject to comprehensive master planning. A coordinated, design-led approach will be essential to…”
It’s a shrug of the shoulders.
The most likely outcome of this being found is that the large majority of this vast new estate will gain access from Tye Common Road.
Let the Inspector know how insane this is!
The road network in this area is already severely constrained, especially the London Road\Mountnessing Road and Harts Corner (London Road\Western Road\Tye Common Road) junctions.
The policy recognises that local roads are inadequate but is incredibly vague in what can, should or will happen.
“H5 is reliant on new road infrastructure and has not yet been subject to comprehensive master planning. A coordinated, design-led approach will be essential to…”
It’s a shrug of the shoulders.
The most likely outcome of this being found is that the large majority of this vast new estate will gain access from Tye Common Road.
Let the Inspector know how insane this is!
The sports clubs are intended to stay, but would lose Green Belt protection. Space will be allocated for a school.
Developments approved north and south of London Road mean that it is already guaranteed that Billericay will merge with the cross-boundary settlement of Havering’s Grove. The coalescence is likely to be further consolidated.
Devastating effect on long-distance views across the landscape. The impact will be compounded by the planned 50 metre (164 high) high pylon line (the Norwich to Tilbury route) which is planned to pass on a N-S alignment half a mile to the west.
Loss of very large areas of agricultural land.
The land is a complex mish-mash of landholdings meaning that a masterplan will be required to give some prospect of a rational lay-out and delivery of the weak mitigation and infrastructure priorities identified.
But this is easier said than done – they’re kicking the can down the road.
Vague reference to facilities in a new local centre.
Effect on public right of way passing through the cricket club and heading over the (currently) open fields to Hutton.
Developments approved north and south of London Road mean that it is already guaranteed that Billericay will merge with the cross-boundary settlement of Havering’s Grove. The coalescence is likely to be further consolidated.
Devastating effect on long-distance views across the landscape. The impact will be compounded by the planned 50 metre (164 high) high pylon line (the Norwich to Tilbury route) which is planned to pass on a N-S alignment half a mile to the west.
Loss of very large areas of agricultural land.
The land is a complex mish-mash of landholdings meaning that a masterplan will be required to give some prospect of a rational lay-out and delivery of the weak mitigation and infrastructure priorities identified.
But this is easier said than done – they’re kicking the can down the road.
Vague reference to facilities in a new local centre.
Effect on public right of way passing through the cricket club and heading over the (currently) open fields to Hutton.
H6, Land North of London Road, Billericay
This is an allocation for 480 to 540 homes.
This is bizarre because a planning application for 480 homes here (with access from London Road and Mountnessing Road) has already been approved by the planning committee.
Are they seemingly trying to fit a further 60 houses into this plot?
Are they seemingly trying to fit a further 60 houses into this plot?
H10, Land Adjacent to Dunton Road
This proposal for 1480 to 1600 home would merge Basildon with Billericay and also the Green Lane Plotlands – against all the principles of good planning practice.
Dunton Road would be downgraded, we think that must mean that a new east-west route is provided through part of the site as proposed in the planning application that already exists for the area.
The A176 (Noak Hill) and Rectory Road would clearly be affected, as would the nearby A127 junctions, something that would be aggravated by other developments in Noak Bridge, Billericay and elsewhere.
There would be space set aside for a school, though details on size and delivery are vague. Some kind of ‘Local Centre’, though details also vague.
Concerns about insufficient regard given to the setting, ecology and potential habitat creation opportunities relating to the River Crouch and its tributaries.
Allotments under the pylons.
The A176 (Noak Hill) and Rectory Road would clearly be affected, as would the nearby A127 junctions, something that would be aggravated by other developments in Noak Bridge, Billericay and elsewhere.
There would be space set aside for a school, though details on size and delivery are vague. Some kind of ‘Local Centre’, though details also vague.
Concerns about insufficient regard given to the setting, ecology and potential habitat creation opportunities relating to the River Crouch and its tributaries.
Allotments under the pylons.
H26, Land at Mountnessing Road
16 to 20 houses on small field south of Mountnessing Road, close to the street Bluebell Wood. It’s a long way from the High Street and railway station.
The access point is not stated, but the implication seems to be that it would be from Mountnessing Road.
It is bounded on 3 sides by well used footpaths so amenity for walkers and runners would be reduced.
16 to 20 houses on small field south of Mountnessing Road, close to the street Bluebell Wood. It’s a long way from the High Street and railway station.
The access point is not stated, but the implication seems to be that it would be from Mountnessing Road.
It is bounded on 3 sides by well used footpaths so amenity for walkers and runners would be reduced.
Public Rights of Way shown in Pink – with the area of the new estate in yellow.
H28, Land East of Laindon Road
The proposal is for new specialist accommodation for older people on secondary woodland on the one way system at Laindon Road, adjacent to Billericay School.
The proposal is for new specialist accommodation for older people on secondary woodland on the one way system at Laindon Road, adjacent to Billericay School.
