Countryside Daws Heath 173 homes plans appeal lodged

Countryside Partnerships has lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate after Castle Point Council threw out plans to build on Brook Farm, in Daws Heath earlier this year.

At the time, residents submitted dozens of objections and the council ruled the plans would damage the green belt and have a detrimental impact on infrastructure.

Now, the council faces a lengthy appeal hearing and could be hit with costs if the plans are approved by the Government’s independent planning inspectorate.

The council won its most recent appeal hearing over plans for 455 homes off Rayleigh Road, Thundersley, but fears remain the major proposals could be passed.

Hadleigh resident, Kate Pagram, who attended campaign events to save Daws Heath’s green belt, said: “I can’t see how anyone can promise no green belt development, it depends where you live, what you want to save, and I do understand wanting to save it.

“This plan will affect everyone in Castle Point, it is such a nice place where everyone wants to live and it won’t be so good if everything is built there, there will be no fields and no green space.

“I think the council should stand up to it, if you go this far you have to finish.”

Kate added that her fear of a loss is exacerbated by her belief the homes won’t go to residents and “don’t seem to benefit the people from here.”

The council has vowed to put together a “strong legal team” to robustly defend the council’s original decision on the Daws Heath homes and defend the green belt.

People’s Independent Party leader, Warren Gibson, said: “It is disappointing following the council’s success at two recent appeals that the developer has continued to appeal this decision.

“However, the council will be putting together a strong legal team to robustly defend this appeal and the council’s original decision.”

The appeal was lodged this week and a date will be set for the hearing to take place.