Wickford North Green Action Group (WNGAG) was formed in late 2006 when we first became aware that developers were planning to build on 100 acres of green countryside between Station Avenue and Waverley Crescent - an area known locally as Barn Hall. WNGAG is an independent, non-political group of residents. We are recognised by both Basildon District Council and Chelmsford Borough Council as a properly constituted interest group which is representing the interests of the local community. We work closely with Basildon and Chelmsford councillors because the land owned by the developers falls within the boundaries of both councils; and, also, with our local MP, John Baron. As well as this website, we issue regular leaflets to local residents and aim to keep the whole community up-to-date with what is happening and what’s at stake for their neighbourhood.
We won a significant victory on
12 February 2008 when Basildon Council’s Planning Committee
rejected the developers’ initial application to build up to
200 flats and houses in the two fields at the end of
Station Avenue. But the fight to save Barn Hall permanently
continued because the developers, Gleeson Homes Ltd and
Gladedale Group Ltd, don’t just own these two fields. They
own most of the 100 acres up to and beyond Waverley
Crescent. They intend to ‘concrete over’ the lot, build up
to 2000 flats and houses, and ruin the neighbourhood and
lifestyle enjoyed at present by residents in North
Wickford.
We won a second victory, after a Public Inquiry lasting
four days at the end of June, when the Planning Inspector
recommended that Gleeson’s and Gladedale’s appeal against
the Council’s rejection of their planning application be
turned down. But the Planning Inspector’s recommendation
was over-ruled by central government and the Secretary of
State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears,
decided in October 2008 to allow the developers to start
building at Barn Hall - despite the strength of opposition
in the local community that had been reflected in our
petition to her containing 3,521 signatures!
But the battle is not over and the fight to save Barn Hall
continues. Basildon Council, with the full support of
WNGAG, has now appealed the Secretary of State’s decision
to the High Court. For more information and further
updates, see News and Updates.
WNGAG is dedicated solely to
opposing development at Barn Hall. Our aim is to keep it
permanently within the Green Belt. We are not connected to
other, local action groups with wider aims, such as the
Wickford Action Group, which is against all aspects of
over-development in Wickford, including (in their view) the
current Wickford Masterplan.
While we wait for the High Court to hear the Council’s
appeal, which may take up to the end of 2009, you can
still:
- (Until April 2009) sign our new on-line Petition, if you have not done so already and want to show you care about protecting our countryside, wish to avoid the over-development of North Wickford, and oppose building on Barn Hall.
- E-mail us with your comments or if you want to help with our campaign. We would particularly like to hear from you if you have organisational or professional skills and/or legal experience.
- Write to the your local councillors, your MP, the local press and/or the Essex branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and say why you oppose the developers’ plans - see Take Action
You can also read the many, many thoughts and comments already sent to us by past and present Wickford and Essex residents at Comments.