Flooding Prevention Versus Finance – “The Winner is………….”

On the 17^th December Rochford District Council formally adopted the revised budgetary estimates for 2013/2014.

We noted that the provision of £10,000 for Sewers and Ditch clearance, which presumably if spent may have eliminated or prevented some of the flooding experienced by residents in August, has been reduced to NIL!  Only £595 was spent in the previous financial year which makes us wonder why the budget was hiked so high and then not used.

Community Assistance and Hairdressing

Not two words that you often see together but a wonderful simple way for the community to help local students and themselves at the same time.

A few weeks ago a leaflet was enclosed with my Council papers asking for people to attend the King Edmund School Salon.  Well my hair certainly needed re-doing but did they really need me?  It transpired that they did, still a little uncertain I was asked to pop along for a patch test – impressed I cannot recall ever having one done before.  Patch test fine I duly made an appointment and turned up on the day to be pleasantly greeted by one of the sixth form students and treatments, options etc were discussed in a relaxed and friendly manner with great attention paid to my simple request to banish the grey.

Seasons Greetings To All Of Our Readers

 We hope that you have enjoyed reading our Articles and you have been kept advised of what is going on in Hawkwell and Rochford District.

Thank you also to those who have helped ad supported us.

There will be local elections in 2014, 2015 and 2016 when the later will be as a result of a Boundary Commission Review of Electoral Representation in Rochford District and ALL Councillors will be either be up for Re-Election if they choose or there will be a new set of Candidates for you to choose from.

Update on Flood Prevention Work In The Vicinity of Rectory Road

 Hawkwell Brook 8^th December 2013

As organised by us the length of the Brook from Windsor Gardens to the end of the field adjoining Clements Hall was cleared by volunteers on the Weekend 30^th Nov/1^st Dec.  Thanks to everyone involved.  Certainly we were relieved that no further problems occurred on Friday when a similar flood warning was sounded.

Yesterday John and I walked along the Brook up to Thorpe Close and noted the work that needs to be done by the local land owners.  As these riparian owners are commercial organisations we have submitted a report to our new Chief Executive so that he can arrange for the appropriate work to be undertaken as appropriate.

David Wilson Homes “hopes” to reopen a temporary path through Thorpe Road by Christmas – Quote – Unquote

Reported in the Echo 6 December 2013

Update on our Article, Thorpe Road Closure with less than 24 hrs Notice

A FOOTPATH which was closed,leaving residents with a half-mile detour to reach village amenities looks set to be reopened by Christmas.

The path at the unmade end of Thorpe Road, Hockley, was shut unexpectedly in October, as part of a development for 175 homes in the village.

The closure meant residents had to walk half-a-mile along narrow pavements on Main Road or Rectory Road to reach shops, a doctor’s surgery and Greensward and Westerings schools. At the time, the move left residents angry at the lack of communication from developers David Wilson Homes, who had told residents the path wouldn’t be shut and access would be maintained at all times.

Flood Warning !!

Environment Agency Warning Page – Updates Regularly

Echo Feature Article on Hawkwell Flood Prevention

Echo Feature Article on Hawkwell DIY Flood Plan 

“People Power” or How Residents Can Carry Out DIY Flood Prevention

Hawkwell Brook Saturday 30^th November and Sunday 1^st December

As featured in the ECHO DIY Flood Plan

No one told us how physically hard flood prevention would be.  John and I ache in muscles that “we did not know that we had and probably have not got”!  (Christine was heard saying “Charlie Dimmock I am not.  (Certainly John is not!))  That said it is a lot cheaper and more rewarding than the gym.

Clements Gate – David Wilson Homes & Barratts – Update 18 – HGV Access to Thorpe Road

  We returned home from our annual family holiday to find that David Wilson Homes (Barratts) had not ceased to use Thorpe Road for access of HGV Construction Traffic from the end of October.

Complaint to the Managing Director, David Wilson Homes (Barratts)

Dear Mr. Eardley

Several weeks ago Mr. Ruffy advised me personally, face to face, that HGV Construction Traffic would cease to use Thorpe Road from the end of October.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED TO HELP WITH FLOOD PREVENTION IN RECTORY ROAD

30^TH November: 10 am

1^st December: 10 am

Meet at junction of Windsor Gardens & Rectory Road

The Problem: In August our area suffered flooding when the Hawkwell Brook overflowed as a result of the heavy rain and high tide.  Many of those worse affected were frail or elderly and have become fearful of a repeat situation.

The Situation: Generally, the owners of the land adjoining a watercourse are responsible for keeping the passage clear.  In the past the Water Authority cleared this on occasion but in recent years they have left this to the adjoining landowners.  Unfortunately, many landowners are unaware of their responsibility or are unable to deal with the debris and growth.

Thorpe Road Closure with less than 24 hrs Notice

This was permitted by Essex County Council with less than 24 hours Notice against promises that footpath access would never be closed for more than a few days at a time.

Closure of the footpath along the unmade end of Thorpe Road, Hawkwell.

“I am writing on behalf of Barratt Developments to let you know that due to safety reasons, Thorpe Road will be closed to pedestrians as from 10:00am tomorrow (23/10) until further notice.

Clements Gate – David Wilson Homes & Barratts – Update 17 and Other Local Issues

Clements Gate Development

A brief summary of where we are now with this development and other local issues.

 

 

Signs and Advertising

No more progress or information on the simple request for a ‘residents only parking sign’.  However David Wilson Homes have applied for permission for some of the signage at the Thorpe Road Marketing suite and although our last information on a site visit was that the application did not reflect what was on the ground the RDC Planning Officer was attempting to resolve this so that the retrospective application can be heard by the Development Committee on the 24^th October.   As far as we are aware there has been no application for the flagpoles and advertisements at Clements Hall Way although I believe this has been ‘requested’ by Officers.

Rochford Core Strategy – The Allocations of Sites DPD & Hockley Area Action Plan (HAAP)

The Allocations of Sites DPD & Hockley Area Action Plan

The Inspector’s Interim Letters were published on the Council’s Web site this morning, 18 October.

http://www.rochford.gov.uk/sites/rochford.gov.uk/files/documents/files/planning_all_exa175a.pdf

http://www.rochford.gov.uk/sites/rochford.gov.uk/files/documents/files/planning_haap_exh137_0.pdf

Flooding – Rights and Responsibilities

After the recent flooding and observing first-hand the distress and damage caused to affected individuals and the general confusion that was created I decided to look into the general situation with a particular regard to our own Ward.

Hawkwell West is criss-crossed with drainage ditches, brooks and streams.

Generally speaking the water will flow through the ground and enter these water courses slowly finally exiting into the sea via the River Roach. Very heavy rain may cause surface water, which should lead into these water courses and so out of harm’s way.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2013 (SHMA) in Echo Today

72,000 more homes by 2031 says report

• A key factor is the number of people moving to the area from neighbouring London.
• 4,200-8,100 more houses in Rochford District by 2031 required

Read the full Article here.

Extracts

AS many as 72,800 homes may have to be built across south Essex in the next 20 years, a report seen by the Echo suggests.

The Thames Gateway Partnership report says Basildon, Castle Point, Southend, Rochford and Thurrock might have have to find land to build that number of homes to meet demand from a fast-growing population.

New Hawkwell Homes “Out of our Reach” is quite true

The Echo published an Article today headed “Hawkwell homes “out of our reach”.

You can read it here.

 We have approximately 600 registrations on the Council’s Housing Register in a hierarchy of bands that are eligible for housing in our District.

 We hoped that the 35% Affordable Homes, presumably sold at rock bottom prices to Registered Social Landlords (RSL), would enable some of those residents that are on the Rochford District Council Housing Register to be housed at last.

Strategic Planning at Castle Point in a Spin

Councillors are saying “We do not want Castle Point to be turned into a concrete jungle, but don’t know how to stop it !!”

“The Government wants to see more development in South Essex and has got us over a barrel.”

What do outsiders think?

It seems surprising that Castle Point Councillors have chosen to question the Conservative led Government especially when the Council has a Conservative Administration.

One wonders what they expect to achieve because most District Councils are managing to avoid a clash with Government by putting house building plans in place to avoid planning powers being effectively taken away from the Council.

Part Night Street Lighting

Essex County Council is currently consulting on its proposal to introduce ‘part night’ street lighting in the District from January 2014.

The County’s consultation seeks views and particularly suggestions as to those areas which meet the exception criteria, advising of the location of the lights including street and settlement names and the reason for meeting these criteria.

So please let us know by emailing john [at] onlinemail.me [dot] uk or christine.mason [at] rochfordessex [dot] net

Review of the 7 and 8 Bus Services

Essex County Council would like to hear your views as it starts a review of its Bus Strategy and how it provides financial support to local bus services.

In this challenging economic climate it is very important that we focus our expenditure where it is really needed to ensure value for money for residents.

This review will help to ensure that the bus services provided by the County Council meet, as far as possible, the essential needs of Essex. The outcome of the review will help to decide what types of service will be supported in future.

A new local community website for The Rochford District

Streetlife.com, the local social network, has a simple aim: to help people make the most of where they live by connecting with their neighbours.

It also gives you the chance to ask open questions of the District Councillors for your Ward.

If you live in Hawkwell , for example there are three Wards, Hawkwell North, South and West.

“The Rochford Independent” web site is run and owned by John and Christine Mason who are Independent District Councillors for Hawkwell West Ward.

Clements Gate – David Wilson Homes & Barratts – Update 16 and Other Local Issues

Clements Gate Development

A brief summary of where we are now with this development and other local issues; Flooding, Noise & Pollution, Highways and Parking

Signs and Advertising

Residents in the unmade section of Thorpe Road have still not achieved success in the simple request for a ‘residents only parking sign’ yet David Wilson Homes appear to be able to erect as many signs as they want without Highways permission from Essex County Council or compliance with advertising regulations.  David Wilson Homes and Barratts have now applied again for retrospective planning for the signs around the Show Homes and the greater number of flagpoles than normally allowed around the whole site.  On the day the original application was to be heard, (Officers had recommended Refusal) the application was withdrawn. The new retrospective planning application should be heard in October and we hope to visit residents for your views once we have reviewed the position with Officers.

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