Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale officially opens controversial Burnham Waters development
Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale officially opened the first phase of the controversial Burnham Waters retirement community on Friday (November 3), amid local opposition.
The first phase of 63 homes were unveiled to invited guests yesterday, ready for residents to move in later this month. Up to 600 homes are planned to be built on the site.
Following the ribbon-cutting, Sir John told Nub News: "This concept of independent living, with access to care, is very much the best way to meet the needs of an aging population.
"It does offer facilities for the community, such as a leisure centre with a swimming pool, which residents have wanted for several years. There is going to be an impact as it's a large development, but it will bring facilities which I hope the whole community can enjoy."
Burnham residents complained their tickets for Friday's event were cancelled, however a spokesperson for Burnham Waters said the event was "by invitation only". A public opening event will be held next Saturday (November 11).
Planning Consultant Stewart Rowe told Nub News the event was for potential purchasers, not for protesters to "roll out banners".
He said: "Why would we want people who just want to come to our private site and make a nuisance of themselves? Not one of those people has approached us for the facts."
Mr Rowe said the opening event was not set up to engage with people "who just want to rant and rave at us".
He added: "As people move away or die, a lot of the objections and vitriol will go with them. There's a small number of vocal critics with a very big voice."
However, resident Karen Hamilton from Burnham's 'Save Our Surgery' group accused the developers of "lying through their teeth".
She said: "It was not a small minority – just over 3,000 people signed our petition in over a week. I think that speaks to the level of opposition in the town."
In August, as rumours the town's surgery could be moved to the development caused widespread concern, a meeting was held between developers, NHS representatives, and the public.
Mr Rowe says Burnham Waters will build a private surgery, as required by the Section 106 agreement. Before the development's second phase can begin, the surgery, community centre, shops and sports centre must be completed.
"If the community doesn't want an enhanced public surgery, that's their choice - we accept that," he added.
Jamie Mocock, Group CEO at Burnham Waters, told Nub News the company is lobbying to open the surgery in residents' interests as the current surgery building "may not be fit for purpose".
"We would love to have the NHS involved so we can offer it to the wider community along with our residents," he said.
"There's a lot of misinformation about the medical centre. When people have a greater understanding of the facts, I think their opinions will change.
"If there are no other options, why wouldn't you want a brand-new facility?"
Surveys are reportedly being conducted by the NHS. Mr Mocock expects to meet with representatives in February. However, he would also like to meet with locals to show "we are not the enemy".
"This sector is acutely under-provided for," he added.
"If we don't offer a medical facility, it's more than likely that Burnham won't have one in the next three years."
A large-scale protest march was held on Saturday (November 4), in which hundreds of residents walked from the existing town surgery to the Burnham Waters site.
Last week, a planning application for 40 new flats on the site were submitted to Maldon District Council.
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