Expiry Date For Objections: Tue 30th January (previously 26th)
Application Received: 27th December 2023
Application Reference: 23/01244 (Direct Link)
What We Know
On Dec 27th Taylor Wimpey Homes (TWH) put in an application for up to 220 homes to be build on the land behind Homefields (OUT/MAL/23/01244). Below is a brief summary of the history of this proposal (for all previous blog posts, click here)
Taylor Wimpey Homes (TWH) proposed 245 homes to be built on the land behind Homefields in July 2023 and gave a public exhibition
In late July, TWH tried to bypass an EIA (environmental impact assessment) which would determine how their proposal would impact the community and wildlife
In August, Maldon District Council (MDC) decided that an EIA was not needed for the proposal
On Dec 27th, TWH put in their application with MDC for 220 homes
Objections: Deadline Jan 26th
Please familiarise yourself with the How To Object guide if you haven't made an objection before. There is a template which can help you to make your objections as well as facts and information to support your statement. It is worth noting that each occupant can submit their own objection, not just one person per household.
Queenborough Road would be a main access point for works traffic; this road was highlighted by Essex Highways in a recent application on the Spratts Farm site as not satisfactory in terms of access arrangements. In addition, this road has frequently been reported as near-flooded by residents following heavy rainfall, creating a safety risk
The increased traffic that would be created both during and after development on Northend, North Street and Queenborough Road; all of which already see a lot of through-traffic and parking issues. The works will also create a great disturbance and a lot of noise for residents living near the development as well as worsen the pothole situation
The agricultural land that TWH proposes to build upon is classified as grade 3a, the best and most agricultural land which could provide moderate yield of crops. This is contrary to Policy D2 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan and the NPPF
Southminster has been promised a new medical centre. William Fisher Medical Centre is at capacity and through no fault of the staff nurses or doctors and waiting times have increased for appointments which is undesirable. Also, patients are now finding that their repeat prescriptions are taking much longer to get from Southminster Pharmacy.
220 new homes with a minimum of 1 child per household will create a strain on over-subscribed local schools and yet TWH is telling potential buyers there are schools in the area. Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham recently had an extension built which can accommodate just 150 extra students and cost £1.8 million. The school was already over-subscribed when this extension was built meaning that those 150 spaces are in reality already filled.
For an objection to be taken into consideration by MDC it has to meet the criteria of 'material planning considerations'. (Source)
Please find below a template for you to use when making your objections which includes these considerations.
*Schools: Local schools are over-subscribed. More children coming to the area will make this situation worse.
*Medical (Doctors & Hospitals) : Local NHS services are struggling to manage the number of patients on their books. News from the 16th January is that St Peters in Maldon is to close (Source). This is another terrible loss for the people of Southminster.
*Dentists: There are no dentists in Southminster and local dentists in Burnham aren't taking new patients.
*Police: There is no police station in Southminster or locally in Burnham. Response times to a call are slow and the reduction in police presence may contribute to an increase in crime rates.
*Parking: Both in and around the village becoming unacceptable. Commuters not using the train station car park, doctors car park, the Post Office etc.
*Road Infrastructure: There are just two routes leading on and off the Dengie. Vehicles can be nose-to-tail on these routes and not just at peak times. More vehicles will add to this serious problem. Unless the road infrastructure can be improved no more houses should be built in any of the villages or towns on the Dengie Peninsular.
*Road Condition: – Pot holes are a big concern. Huge lorries moving gravel and large builders’ lorries supplying the builders of the existing developments are damaging the road surface further.
*Carbon Footprint: Children in schools out of catchment areas, works traffic etc all adds to a bigger carbon footprint, something we are all told to try to reduce
*Loss of Agricultural Land: In the current economy it is more important than ever for crops to be grown locally, rather than imported. Why build upon arable land?
*Animal Habitat: Many animals call the fields home; badgers, foxes, bats, pheasants and more will lose those homes so that unwanted houses can be built instead.
*Lack of Transportation (Buses/Trains): The line from Southminster is a branch line with just 2 direct trains a day to London, and just one back again in the evening. After 9pm you can't get a train to Wickford from Southminster. Often times the trains aren't running. Buses are delayed or cut out making them unreliable and they don't run near to where the development is proposed.
*Poor Walking & Cycle Options: Roads around Southminster are not pedestrian nor cyclist friendly. There are many blind bends and the roads are national speed limit which can make cycling dangerous.
*Local Amenities: We have very few local amenities in the area e.g. Nisa, Morrisons Daily and Chapmans. These are not practical for a main shop and are higher priced than supermarkets. In addition, the Post Office is very often not open due to staff shortages making it unreliable. The vets in Southminster is full and isn't able to take on any new patients.
*Sewage: The sewage works around Southminster are old and, like the water supply, won't be able to handle more residents in the area.
TWH Specific Notes
In 2021, TWH was fined £480,000 for polluting River Llwyd in Wales in multiple incidents. Should a developer like this be allowed to ruin our fields and village? [Source]
Many existing new TW homes in Maldon aren't selling; there is no need for yet more housing which won't sell
There are many reports from TWH homeowners of poor construction and bad management from the firm. Many negative TrustPilot reviews left on TWH profile are flagged and removed, meaning many negative experiences aren't known about.
If you know of someone who doesn't have FaceBook and isn't aware of the proposal please tell them; the more awareness we have of the application, the stronger our objections will be!