WICKFORD: Government ignores plea to save area

PROTESTERS have reacted with fury to news the Government will plough ahead with plans to allow hundreds of houses to be built on a much-loved green space – despite opposition from its own watchdog.

Planning inspector Andrew Phillipson agreed with residents and Basildon District Council that construction of up to 200 homes at Barn Hall, Wickford, would be inappropriate on the area of special reserve.

But Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears decided to ignore his judgement and grant planning permission to developers.

Billericay and Wickford MP John Baron said: "This is the clearest example yet of an arrogant Government riding roughshod over the wishes of local people.

"There is no way Barn Hall should be developed – even the planning inspector agreed.

"I am now exploring options as to whether we can challenge the Secretary of State's decision."

Campaigners from Wickford North Action Group, which has spent years opposing the construction of houses on the picturesque 4.5 hectares of fields off Station Avenue, say they feel betrayed by the democratic process.

In June the group travelled to Westminster to hand Hazel Blears a petition, signed by 3,300 people, in a bid to save the area.

Local resident and action group member Bryan Waeland, 69, said: "It is devastating. We can't basically do any more.

"The Secretary of State has just ignored everyone – local residents, politicians and her own planning inspector.

"Is this supposed to be a democracy?

"This decision confirms what a lot of us thought.

"We thought that this was a done deal and the Government was prepared to do whatever it took to get it through.

"Maybe the only saving grace is during this economic climate no developer would want to put their money into building houses while the bottom has fallen out of the market."

In January the Gazette revealed developers Gleeson Homes were hoping to start construction on the site.

Basildon council, which refused to grant planning permission, has vowed to appeal this latest ruling.

Leader Malcolm Buckley said: "The Government will benefit from the increase in the value of the land.

"This is an entirely politically motivated decision, but that means there is potentially some scope to appeal and our officers are looking into that."

Cllr Buckley, a Wickford Castledon Conservative councillor, added that this decision would put in jeopardy a number of sites across the district which had been saved from development.