On Monday evening The Stow Maries Opposition group (SMOG) held a public meeting to discuss the proposed development consisting of 1700 houses on Hogwell Farm. SWF was represented by Cllr Donna Eley who made a positive contribution, suggesting that relevant information is shared.
Leading light, Stuart Cooper, says: “Following our meeting where we welcomed councillors and residents from South Woodham Ferrers, it is clear from all points of view the detrimental effect this so called Garden Village consisting of 1700 houses is going to have on the area. The roads can’t cope now, let alone with new developments not only in South Woodham, but next to South Woodham as well. This will put additional pressure on infrastructure including, medical centres, schools, along with potential flooding, dealing with sewage – the list is endless. Stow Maries is a small village but, following the support I have witnessed in the area, we all need to pull together to make our group strong and stop covering productive farmland and beautiful countryside with houses; and, really, who is buying all these houses, that’s the question?”
As Stuart Cooper says, a variety of concerns were raised about the additional strain the development will put on the local infrastructure – much of which is relevant to South Woodham. The local roads were a particular focus in the discussion given that there are already long queues during ‘rush hour’ where the Woodham Road meets the Lower Burnham Road – and these will get a whole lot worse when the expected tailbacks when the new development north of the Burnham Road becomes a factor.
There was specific reference to the cumulative effect of the various developments in the area on the bottleneck that is the Burnham Road at a time when it will be considered an ‘urban street’ with additional roundabouts and signalized crossings, given that a bypass for South Woodham has been refused. Cllr Bob Masey has in the past made the point that traffic takes the path of least resistance so vehicles finding long hold-ups on the Burnham Road will tend to divert down the Ferrers Road and from there it will find its way through the town in whatever way it can.
The traffic from Stow Maries that can’t get as far as the Burnham Road during peak periods will, if past experience is a guide, filter through Crows Lane and Edwin’s Hall Road. Elsewhere the ‘cumulative effect’ of a combination of developments is a factor that is taken seriously but in this part of the world the rule is that the developer merely has mitigate the effects of its own contribution to the additional strain on the local infrastructure but nobody takes responsibility for looking at the overall effect..
Other points that were raised resonated with the SWF town council’s response to the proposal for Althorne such as the additional strain on the primary healthcare facilities in South Woodham which were not future proofed to the extent to they will comfortably cope with a large influx additional patients.
In the first instance supporters of the Stow Maries group are being asked concentrate on environmental issues as the local flora and fauna will inevitably be adversely affected by such an extensive development.
Those concerned about the knock on effect of the development on SWF who want to help should contact Stuart Cooper at StuartdCooper@aol.com.