THE GOVERNMENT PLANNING INSPECTOR HAS DISMISSED AN APPEAL BY DEVELOPERS TO BUILD 455 HOUSES ON LAND NORTH OF DAWS HEATH ROAD AND EAST OF RAYLEIGH ROAD

I am very pleased that the Inspector agreed with me, the local Council, and many concerned local residents, that this Green Belt site effectively stops Thundersley and Daws Heath merging and that building here would impact the openness and semi-rural character of the area. I am also pleased he took into account the precedent set by our recent successful defence of Green Belt south of Daws Heath Road, and local concerns about the impact on the environment.

Many local residents and Councillors have fought passionately to defend this Green Belt over the last few decades and I am grateful to every single one of them. I also want to say a well done to all the residents who wrote in to oppose this development and the current sitting Councillors that spoke with me against it at the appeal.

Sadly I fear that the Labour Government and developers looking to exploit the fact that Castle Point Council do not yet have a local plan in place, will keep on threatening our local Green Belt and this is far from the last battle we will face to defend it.

That said, this victory sets us in good stead for the future and is well deserved!

You can see the judgement by pressing here.

You can read my full submission to the appeal by pressing here.