Over 200 residents attended the second Community Forum on 13 August 2007 in the Barn Hall Community Centre. They heard WNGAG members and councillors from both Basildon and Chelmsford Councils re-affirm their opposition to plans to build on Barn Hall - based on two main arguments. It is contrary to Green Belt policy, harmful to the environment, and will destroy countryside. It is also simply not needed, as both Councils have plans to build new houses and apartments elsewhere - primarily in town centres and on ‘brownfield’ sites - to meet their housing needs and central government targets. The Forum, like the earlier Petition (see the 10 January 2007 news item below) and the numerous people who have made their views known on this website under Your Comments, was further evidence of the strength of community feeling against development.

The period allowed for formal objections against the planning application has now ended and over 300 people have written to Basildon Council - a magnificent response! We now wait for the Council’s Planning Committee to make its decision. Councillors have advised that the Committee will meet in public and the meeting may be held in Wickford. WNGAG has sent a comprehensive, 40-page statement of their objections to the Committee and will make further representations at its public meeting.

WNGAG had a stall at today’s Wickford Carnival to publicise the continued threat to Barn Hall - see Leaflet 4 - September 2007 . A raffle was held to boost our ‘fighting fund’ with the winning tickets drawn by the Carnival Queen. If you would like to make a donation to our ‘fighting fund’, we would very much appreciate your support. You can send cheques made payable to Wickford North Green Action Group to Wickford North Green Action Group, c/o Hamilton Brading, Chartered Accountants, 1 Sopwith Crescent, Wickford, Essex, SS11 8YU.

We would also very much like to hear from you if you would like to join our group of volunteers who help us, mainly by delivering our leaflets to residents. We particularly need additional help for the following roads:- Arundel Road, Beccles Court, Berne Hall Court, Brock Hill, Carlton Road, Elm Road, Guernsey Gardens, Jersey Gardens, Jubilee Drive, Moreland Road, Pullman Court, Station Road, Swallow Road, Swan Lane and the Greenway. Help would also be appreciated for other roads in Runwell:- Alfred Gardens, Athelstan Gardens, Birrs Close, Canewdon Gardens, Carruthers Close, Church End Avenue, Clare Avenue, David Avenue, Edward Gardens, Egbert Gardens, Ethelred Gardens, Harold Gardens, The Hastings, Hengist Gardens, Hereward Gardens, Keith Avenue, Locarno Avenue, Merlin Way, Pearmain Close, Regency Close, Rettendon Gardens, Runwell Gardens, Saxon Close, South Hanningfield Way, Tidworth Avenue, Viking Way, Whitelands Close and Windsor Gardens. Do, please, get in touch if you can help us, either by e-mail or by writing to us at our above c/o Hamilton Brading address.