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How beauty spot estate would Iook
Residents fear plans are tip of the iceberg
Jon Austin, Political reporter,
Echo, 4 July 2007
THIS is the first image of controversial plans for a housing estate on a beauty spot.
Gleeson Homes has revealed this aerial view of an estate of 200 homes it hopes to build on the Barn Hall open space, off Station Avenue,
Wickford.
Nearby residents, who oppose development on the 100-acre parkland, fear the outline proposal is just the first batch of many homes to
come: The Gleeson-owned site could take up to 1,500 properties.
It is designated as suitable for development if Basildon Council is unable to meet Government housing targets, although the authority is
fighting to return it to green belt.
A statement by the firm, with the application, warns how the council is unlikely to meet house-building targets based on current levels, and
therefore development should go ahead.
It says 60 of the homes would be affordable housing.
The statement adds: "The application demonstrates a high-quality residential scheme can be accommodated on the site. It provides
much-needed housing and complements the Wickford Town Centre regeneration proposals."
The plans include a series of roads and cul-de-sacs with footpaths, a wildlife pond and playground.
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Jacqueline Boyns, of Jubilee Drive, Wickford, said: "If you read between the lines in the application, this would just be the tip of the iceberg.
"If they get permission we believe they will want to develop the rest of the site, which is huge.
"When they were carrying out surveys they were looking at the middle of Barn Hall, and the top end, which are not included in this
application."
Her campaign group, Wickford North Green Action Group, is handing out leaflets to residents explaining how to object to the proposals on
planning grounds.
However, Gleeson has promised to make contributions towards increasing local school places and providing more sports pitches in the
district if the plan goes through.
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