The following is an open letter from Heybridge residents regarding the Westcombe Park Development – formerly known as the Heybridge Garden Suburb.

To Maldon District Council (MDC), councillors, planning and policymakers

We write as a community in Heybridge conveying our collective concerns. To achieve clarification on the issues listed below.

Point of contact DevComms do not speak for us.

OUR QUESTIONS

COMMUNITY LIAISON PANEL We request that the community liaison panel as promised on Maldon District Council's website is set up immediately. Quote from Countryside Properties' website: "...Westcombe Park is an exciting new garden village." Quote from MDC website: "The panels will receive regular updates and provide a sounding board for emerging proposals providing a strategic direction and ensure community interests are represented at each stage of project completion." Quote from Rosie Pearson, planning campaigner: "Community engagement is encouraged and expected in the National Planning Policy Framework, and leads to better outcomes for all. I hope that the council will heed the community's call for answers and will also set up the liaison group they have been promised." COMMUNICATION NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Traffic and wildlife

Impact of the relief road

Traffic flow

• What projected increase in traffic flow is expected for Broad Street Green?
• How/when will this be monitored?
• What plans will keep traffic flowing through the village during the development?
• How will you mitigate daily traffic flow problems?

Wildlife mitigation

• What wildlife mitigation is planned during and post relief road construction?

Wildlife awareness road signage

• Deer crossing, reduce speed deer, fox and badger crossing - signage.
• Crossing tunnels for amphibian spring migration, badgers, hedgehogs et al.

HABITAT AND GREEN SPACES

Green gaps

• Why is there no green gap giving distinction between the settlements of Heybridge, Great Totham and Westcombe Park? Heybridge is losing its identity.

Quote from Visit Maldon District's website: "Heybridge is adjacent to Maldon, near the River Blackwater … often overshadowed by its historic neighbour, … one could mistakenly think it to be the same town, as the two have merged … over the years." There is a clear distinction with respect to facilities afforded to Heybridge. Heybridge wood buffer

• Will MDC renegotiate Phase 5, thereby retaining decades of landscape?

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2019): "Strategic policies … should include those … necessary to provide … conservation and enhancement of … natural built and historic environment, including landscape and green infrastructure." (NPPF paragraph 20). Biodiversity net gain

• Who will decide if the development achieves 10 per cent biodiversity net gain according to requirements implemented by the Environment Bill 2019?

Biodiversity net gain is an approach which aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand. PROW

• What greening will be afforded to the existing PROW?

RSPB Red list endangered skylark

• Why was habitat excavation agreed to during nesting season - April to September 2021?

Countryside describes Westcombe Park as "your countryside escape". The Land Trust's management of Heybridge Wood is very good news. Why has there been no moves by MDC to encourage community involvement/volunteering? And all that Countryside Properties invites for remaining green space is sports pitches, parkour, skate park. Given that the Government announced in response to the House of Commons' environmental audit committee on green jobs that: "...the Government does not plan to embed environmental sustainability across all primary and secondary school courses and in A Levels. It stated that sustainability elements of apprenticeships and T-Levels will only be covered where occupationally relevant". Source: House of Commons environmental audit committee - January 20, 2022. Biodiversity education needs to be integral. Flooding

• Will the issue of Holloway Road and surrounding area surface water flooding be rectified?
• Does MDC accept climate change increases flooding issues in Heybridge?
• What does MDC propose to mitigate effects of climate change surface water flooding?
• Has a Westcombe Park Development surface water alleviation plan been accepted by MDC?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROVISION

School travel and public transport According to the Westcombe Park Development plan, no extra provision for public transport is planned. Only extension to an existing route. Cycle routes

• There appears to be no cycle routes planned. A subject referred to in detail in a 2021 town plan consultation.
• What proposals does MDC plan, considering their 'Taking climate action for our future home and generations - Maldon District Council's Climate Action Strategy 2021-2030'?
• Will MDC commit to encouraging improvement of public transport provision and safe and accessible cycle routes?

Accessibility

• What provision for accessible footpaths is written into the plan?
• Are we resigned to another car-dependent Essex development?

COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

Lack of medical provision Maldon's medical practices are stretched. The plan omits a medical building. There is desperate need. Quote from DevComms, January 6, 2022: "As part of ... Westcombe Park, a new neighbourhood centre will be built ... providing space to accommodate a new medical centre should it be required. Countryside will provide the space ... it is for the local Clinical Commission Group (CCG's) to determine need and delivery…" Dental practice There is one dental practice in Heybridge, only accessible by STAIRS. Public library Nearest public libraries are in Maldon town or Wickham Bishops. Heybridge is served by mobile library services for 30 minutes every three weeks! What special needs provisions are being considered? COMMUNICATION WITH HEYBRIDGE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO IMPROVE. Responses will be shared with the community. Signed,

Concerned Heybridge & Local Community

*Condensed version of original open letter

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