Beauty spot fight is lost

THE fight to save a Wickford beauty spot has been lost.
   About 200 homes will be built on Barn Hall fields after Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State, overturned Basildon Council’s decision to protect the area.
   Campaigners fear the move will open the floodgates for developers Gleeson Homes to build up to 1,000 homes on the 100-acre site.
   Jacqueline Boynes, of the Wickford North Green Action Group, said: “Homes could now pop up all over this beautiful area. I am shocked.”

Secretary of State gives homes go-ahead
Development will be on green belt

A CAMPAIGN to save a beauty spot from development has been lost.
   Controversial plans to build 200 homes on Barn Hall open space, in Wickford, has been given the go-ahead by Hazel Blears, secretary of state for Communities and Local Government.
   She overturned a public inquiry by the Government's planning inspectorate, which recommended ditching the proposals.
   Basildon Council had earlier refused to grant approval for the development by builders Gleeson Homes.
   Now residents fear this will be the first phase of a 1,000 home estate on the 100-acre area.
Jacqueline Boynes, of the Wickford North Green Action Group, who helped gather a 3,500-strong petition to fight the proposals, is in shock.
   She said: "It opens the door for the developers to build all over the area.
   "From the point of view of local democracy, this is terrible. Why bother with an inquiry if this is the outcome?
   "I am quite shocked. This is going to change Wickford forever."
   Gleeson Homes said further development could not be ruled out in the Barn Hall area.
Scott Chamberlin, managing director of Gleeson Homes, said: "We have never made a secret of the fact we are a long-term player and will continue to promote our land holdings.
   "We would rather do it with the community and take them along with us. We own 90 acres and there is an element which has been taken out of the green belt for future development."
   Malcolm Buckley, Basildon Council leader, said the decision to build new homes would place pressure on Wickford's infrastructure.
   He said: "There will have to be additional educational facilities and highways infrastructure put in place.
   "Education is a factor to consider and a new school may have to open, or Barn Hall School may have to be reopened."
   Mr Buckley added the council would see if the decision could be appealed against in the High Court. Tory MP John Baron also expressed his disappointment at the decision and vowed to raise the issue in Parliament.
   He said: "To me it shows government arrogance at steam rol-lering over the wishes of local residents.
   "Decisions like this should be made by the people who live with the consequences of any development."

Site last updated: July 28, 2010