Foxberry Developments has appealed against the council’s rejection of their housing plans in Chase Mews, facing strong local opposition.
Benfleet: So, Foxberry Developments is back at it again. They’ve lodged an appeal after Castle Point Council turned down their plans for 47 homes in Chase Mews. Can you believe it? There were 168 objections from locals, and the council still said no.
This appeal comes just before another hearing about a different project in Daws Heath Road, where they wanted to build 173 homes. Seems like there’s a lot of back and forth going on.
Michael Dixon, a local resident and former Tory councillor, is really upset about this. He feels like developers are taking advantage of the situation and worries that the planning inspectorate might approve these plans, even though the council rejected them.
He mentioned feeling like they’re under siege and that this whole situation shows a lack of defense against these appeals. It’s frustrating for him, especially since the council had previously rejected the plans due to concerns about the green belt and local infrastructure.
In June, the council pointed out that there aren’t enough GP surgeries in the area, which is a big deal for future residents. It’s not just about building homes; it’s about making sure there’s enough support for everyone.
There’s a lot of anxiety in the borough about development. The council is working on its next local plan, which will help decide where new homes can go. They had a consultation last year about potential sites for 13,700 homes, and now they’re putting together a draft plan.
Interestingly, the council did have some success recently. They managed to block a mini-estate near the A127 that a developer wanted to build. So, there’s hope, but Mr. Dixon is still worried about future appeals and what that means for the community.
