What's the rush to develop land
Echo 17 October 2008 from John Rushton

Your readers may have missed the public notice which you published in the Echo on 6th October from Basildon Council re the Compulsory Purchase Order for land at Lower Southend Road.

Wickford residents can't have failed to notice however, the monstrous 7 storey block of flats nearing completion on the adjoining site, along the side of Wickford Bypass, and this CPO is for the remainder of the land so that the Phase 2 block can be built.

This will mean the demolition of the Post Office sorting office, a valued and well used facility for local residents, and there is no local alternative found as far as we can ascertain.

We can't understand why the Council needs to rush this development through for Councillor Ray Ride's Bradgate Developments Limited, whilst four other major development works in Wickford came to a standstill months ago. 

We urge all residents who want to retain the Sorting Office in Wickford, to register an opposition to this CPO, it just needs a simple letter, and details on how to do it are on www.WickfordActionGroup.org.uk. Objections have to be in by 21st October. 

John Rushton
75 Guernsey Gardens Wickford