On 12 February 2008, at a Hearing held in public in the Main Hall at Bromfords School, Grange Avenue, Wickford, Basildon Council’s Planning Committee rejected the Outline Planning Application Ref. 07/00801/OUT by Gleeson Homes Ltd and Gladedale Group Ltd to build up to 200 flats and houses in the two fields at the end of Station Avenue in North Wickford. The main reasons were that this is open countryside, outside the urban area of Wickford, and that the development would result in urban sprawl.

You can view the papers prepared by the Council’s planning officers for this Hearing, together with the minutes of the Hearing and the reasons for the decision, on Basildon Council’s website here.

This was a significant victory BUT the fight to save Barn Hall permanently from development continues. The developers have appealed to the Planning Inspectorate (central government), who will make the final decision. Their inquiry will be held on 24 June at the Basildon Centre. Basildon Council will defend their rejection of this planning application 100% at the appeal. So will Wickford North Green Action Group (WNGAG).

Although letters opposing this development, already submitted to Basildon Council, were forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate, local residents had until 10 March 2008 to submit further comments direct to:- The Planning Inspectorate, 3/16 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN. You were asked to give your full name and address, send 3 copies of your letter; and quote the appeal reference no. APP/V1505/A/08/2063131/NWF, the Appellant’s Name, Gleeson Homes Ltd and Gladedale Ltd, and the address of the proposed development, which is Land at North of Station Avenue, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7AY. Comments could also be made on-line and by e-mail; and, as the appeal progresses, it should be possible to see relevant documents on the Planning Inspectorate’s website here.