I was at the meeting in the Towngate Theatre, Basildon, that discussed building 144 residential dwellings in Gloucester Park.

It has been designed with no offer of affordable housing and therefore of no essential benefit to Basildon residents.

Wealthy outsiders will reap the benefit of housing set in prime parkland.

How will this housing be used to join the rather neglected/ shabby town centre shopping area confounds belief.

New owners will not want people outside of their living area to be anywhere near them.

How long will it be before it becomes a gated village and therefore segregated?

We will witness the wanton destruction of trees, possibly up to 220.

It is supposed to be subject to discussion as to what trees get felled. If all goes to plan, we will no doubt see the trees destroyed by some means, agreed or not.

The new lake will have to be built. There is no guarantee the plan will be fulfilled once the new housing is completed.

Maybe the council should ensure a guaranteed sum is set aside in advance?

Questions have been raised about the wildlife, namely bats and the legal issues surrounding the destruction of habitat.

I was surprised at chairman Stephen Hillier’s comment that it is not the responsibility of the council to ensure the law is followed, but that of the developer.

Who paid for and requested the bat survey?

I feel disgusted Gloucester Park is being made into a building site, with the loss of real open space.

If there are any legal challenges on using the land for development, bearing in mind there may be covenants, then why should ratepayers be expected to pay for this.

Look at the situation with Basildon Golf Course when councillors are not prepared to postpone decisions pending legal clarification.

Consultation for those residents involved with this development was dismissed by the chairman.

Considering the significant issues emanating from the plans then residents morally deserved this courtesy.

As we have witnessed at previous meetings, this council is heavily committed to the developers and anything the public say will be over-ridden and ignored.

Developers have more of a say in what goes on in this town.

Max Aitkins
Roosevelt Road
Laindon West