MPs given petition over beauty spot homes plan

By tgardner

BATTLE-HARDENED residents have taken their fight to prevent hundreds of houses being built on a beauty spot, straight to the heart of power.

Campaigners handed a petition of more than 3,300 signatures, to Local Government and Communities minister Hazel Blears on the steps of parliament, as a Government inquiry into the development opened yesterday (Tuesday).

Members of the Wickford North Action Group made the latest move in their 18-month bid to scupper Gleesons and Gladedale's proposals to construct 200 homes on picturesque open fields at Barn Hall, off Station Avenue, Wickford.

Campaigner, Bryan Waeland, 69, said: “I worry the Government could be rushing headlong to meet a quota for the number of houses being built at all costs.

“It would be a major loss to the entire area if we were to lose this battle. We are 18 months into our fight, but we are no way near giving in.

“This is just the latest stage of what we expect will take a few years to get a resolution. If the proposals were to get the go ahead it would not be a decisive blow but it would be very disappointing.”

Bryan, whose £325,000 four- bedroom house overlooks the site, added: “We are determined the beautiful fields, which my grand kids love to wander through, will still be their for their grand kids.”

Residents finally got the backing of Basildon District Council last year after a series of blunders put the future of the park in doubt.

First the council failed to categorise the land as Green Belt when it confirmed the Local Plan in 2006.

Then it missed a 13-week cut off period to oppose development plans.

The planning inquiry is expected to last several days and it could be several weeks before the Government inspector reaches a final decision.