Twice now Basildon Council has tried to get the Kent View Road village green application thrown out by Essex County Council.

Basildon Council has done this by submitting various legal arguments that have been countered by ourselves.

Basildon Council officials have also been lobbying the county council to get our application thrown out.

Nothing unlawful here, but let’s look at the consequences of getting a village green application thrown out before allowing it to run it’s course to a public inquiry.

A public inquiry will give both sides the chance to submit evidence and will cost Basildon Council very little money, as it would be funded by the county council.

At the end of the inquiry, a Government planning inspector would make a fair and unbiased decision based upon the evidence submitted by both sides and that will be an end of the matter.

Vange residents would either be able to keep the Kent View Road recreation Ground as their new village green, or they would get a new housing estate that none of the residents need, nor want.

However, if Basildon Council prevents the residents from having a fair hearing, then the only course of action left would be for us to apply for a judicial review, the cost of which could be well in excess of £100,000.

This is what has happened in the recent case involving Basildon golf course.

The consequence here, because Basildon Council has lost the case, is a legal bill of up to £300,000 which the council will have to pay, or should I say, we as taxpayers have to pay.

How dare Basildon Council risk more of our money by creating a situation whereby we have yet another judicial review?

The county council has a lawful duty to treat our application in a fair and unbiased manner.

Basildon Council’s whole attitude towards the residents over this matter is both arrogant and illogical.

What is the council scared of by having a public inquiry, or more to the point, what is it trying to hide?

Neil Hart
Kent View Road
Vange