VOTE: Do you back hospice plans for Leigh green belt land?

A proposal from south Essex charity Havens Hospices to build on land near Leigh rail station has attracted plenty of controversy.

The plan for a 16-bed, £15million hospice, on land off Belton Way West, adjoining Castle Drive, was lodged with Southend Council at the end of September. A decision is expected early next month.

Here, Gay Frith, 73, a volunteer at Fair Havens Hospice, in Westcliff, for the past decade, and Pat Wortley, chairman of the South Essex Natural History Society, have had their say on the debate.

FOR

GAY Frith would normally be opposed to any development on green belt.

She was prompted to back the campaign in favour of the hospice because she believes the site, although designated green belt, is nothing more than scrub land.

Mrs Frith, of The Willows, Thorpe Bay, said: “I’m very much against building on green belt land, but that is if it is good prime agricultural land, not very low grade land like Belton Way West.

“It has never actually been farmed there, it is scrub and it’s not prime green belt land.

“If it was prime agricultural land, I would probably be there with my banner.”

Mrs Frith said hospice’s need to move to a bigger base was becoming urgent.

She said the hospice, in Second Avenue, has ten beds. Only four are downstairs, which means staff often have to send people away if they are disabled and no bed is available downstairs. Mrs Frith said she cannot understand the case objectors put forward as, in her opinion, the proposal had been thoroughly researched and ticked all the boxes.

She said: “I don’t sympathise with them. I can’t see what they are protecting.

“Before Little Havens Hospice was built in Thundersley there was nothing. But the hospice has managed the grounds and made beautiful gardens – something the adult hospice would do.

“There would be a special nature area to encourage butterflies, insects and birds to thrive. It is a fantastic concept.”

Mrs Frith does not agree with objectors that if the development is allowed, it could lead to further building on the land. She said: “The land is owned by the Salvation Army and it would not allow it.”

Mrs Frith said the location was perfect as it is accessible to public transport and it is central, but still tranquil for patients.

She added the land has enough space to accommodate the hospice’s plans, and a small space, proposed for a hairdressing salon, which would be greatly appreciated by patients.

Mrs Frith added: “I feel very strongly it is the right location. I was born in Leigh and have lived around Southend for many years.

“People have said the hospice has used emotional blackmail by stating what the service is, but all it has said is what happens here. We need new facilities and Belton Way West is the best place for them.”

AGAINST

PAT Wortley, of Burlescoombe Leas, Southend, is a supporter of Fair Havens, but believes development on green belt would be a step too far.

Mrs Wortley, chairman of South Essex Natural History Society, said the land had to be preserved.

She said: “The society has an interest in the site. We have always liaised with the council with regards to the land and the vegetation there, so I have known the area for a number of years.

“The proposal does seem to have divided people more than a lot of other applications. Clearly, the controversy suggests it is not right.

“The idea of green belt was started for a good reason, but ever since it has been undermined everywhere by demands for building and roads.

“This rare habitat and its important wildlife deserve our respect and support. This application has come at a critical time, when land for agriculture is at a premium.

“We have a growing population and, yes, people all want houses, but we need agricultural land and the Belton Way West land should be preserved for green belt and agriculture.”

Mrs Wortley said the land would be perfect if it were to be used to create more allotments. She also raised concerns about the development’s impact on wildlife.

She said: “There are many kinds of wildlife on the Belton Hills and some are particularly rare. Children gasp at the sight of the large great green bush cricket and at the sound of its very loud song. It lives on the Belton Hills, together with hundreds of other types of insects and over 100 different species of plants.”

Mrs Wortley said she supports the work of the hospice, but campaigners are right to raise concerns.

She said: “I am not against Havens. They do fantastic work and I don’t dispute they need new facilities, but the issue is where you put them. They have said there was a list of places to choose from.

“It is a sensitive issue, but there is the worry that, if allowed, it could lead to more building on such sites.

“The society has discussed it and it has objected to the council. People must have their say.

“If it was to be given permission some might go to some sort of lengths and carry on protesting.

“Our society has put its objection in writing and that is out stance.”