Rochford District NEW Local Plan 2017 – 2037
December 3, 2017 by Editor · Leave a Comment
IF YOU WISH TO HELP JUST CONTACT US here.
A NEW LOCAL PLAN FACEBOOK GROUP is here.
As many residents will already know Rochford District Council is about to launch a public consultation on a SECOND Local Plan for 2017 to 2037 focusing on a maximum of ANOTHER 7500 dwellings. With the FIRST local Plan 2011 to 2025 came committed approval for 2785 dwellings so together this makes over 10,000 !!
Is Our Green Belt Safe under our Council?
September 14, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
http://www.cprelondon.org.uk/resources/item/2339-safe-under-us
THIS IS ABOUT ROCHFORD DISTRICT and we provided a contribution to this report which will be “news” for everyone who is concerned about the further loss of Green Belt in our revised Local Plan where there is a Council public consultation running at this moment.
This is what the Council has not told you.
There are some scary numbers coming forward as evidence from consultants such as 392pa instead of 250pa over the district. That COULD mean another 4000 over the existing building target of 2785!
Why local elections could be influenced by housing hostility
April 22, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Rochford District Residents has been afforded a rare but very important interview with the national professional planning web site PlanningResource. Here are just the excerpts that apply to Rochford District.
22 April 2016 by Joey Gardiner
Opponents of controversial housing developments are standing in next month’s local elections in order to fight what they see as the over-development of their areas.
With polling day for local and mayoral elections less than two weeks away, planning issues – particularly in the form of opposition to development – have the power to shake voters out of their traditional political allegiances.
Independent Candidates – Rochford District Council Elections – 7 May 2015
April 13, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Rochford District Residents has 8 candidates;
Hawkwell West – Christine Mason
Hawkwell South – Phil Capon
Hawkwell North – Elliot Mason
Ashingdon & Canewdon – Tracy Capon
Sweyne Park – Toby Mountain
Grange – Peter Scott
Lodge – Richard Lambourne
Hockley Central – Irena Cassar
Residents and Independent Candidates for Rochford District Residents are not associated with any of the national political parties and if elected will represent ALL residents irrespective of political allegiance on the local matters that affect us all.
The common ground between ALL Independent Candidates standing for Rochford District Residents in the Local Election on 7 May is as follows;
Would Ukip represent you locally when it matters?
January 27, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
In the Echo today “Ukip suspends four councillors” – Ukip has suspended four of its Southend councillors because they disowned the party’s parliamentary candidate.
In Rochford District we ask would Ukip represent you locally when it matters?
The Leader of Ukip on Rochford District Council, Councillor John Hayter, writes “Normally I should have been only too pleased to serve, but at present I am heavily committed to the General Election as the UKIP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Rayleigh and Wickford, and am not in a position to do justice to the position.”
Another 37 New Houses in Hawkwell !!
January 27, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Another 37 New Houses in Hawkwell !!
No planning application has been received by RDC but the Agents are seeking feedback from the public at this stage through a statement of community involvement to be submitted alongside the planning application.
Re-development of land at 90 Main Road, Hawkwell (Site Locationhttp://goo.gl/Q4yWcz)
Google Map here
Extracts from Letter to your District Councillors (http://goo.gl/jyzef2)
“Strutt & Parker are acting as planning consultants on behalf of Marden Homes Ltd with regards to the above site. It is planned that the current uses on the site are to relocate and this brownfield site will therefore become available for redevelopment. We have been instructed by Marden Homes to prepare a planning application for residential redevelopment.”
Rochford District Residents now 7 Councillors with Greens
January 26, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
The Green and Rochford District Residents Group on Rochford District Council grows today to 7 Members of The Council.
Originally the Group had 4 Members; John & Christine Mason (Hawkwell West) and Michael and Diane Hoy (Hullbridge) yet the Group was still the largest Opposition Group on the Council.
They are now joined by 3 more Independents; Councillor Toby Mountain (Sweyne Park, Rayleigh), Councillor Phil Capon (Hawkwell South) and Councillor Tracy Capon (Ashingdon and Canewdon).
The Group Leader in Council will continue to be John Mason and the Deputy Group Leader will continue to be Michael Hoy.
Nothing can now change the loss of Green Belt
October 6, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment

JuergenGER / Pixabay
Our Local Conservative Councillors have been telling residents for years that they have to remove Green Belt protection when drawing up their Local Plans, in order to meet [housing] demand.
Conservative Government Minister Eric Pickles has now stepped in to say that the Government did not require this and the move will be seen as a pre-election pitch by the Conservatives to win round rural Tory supporters who are furious about new development.
“Nothing can now change the loss of Green Belt in Hawkwell, Ashingdon and Rochford for 1000 houses where it has not been proven that these are required to meet local housing needs” said Residents Councillors John and Christine Mason.
Official in the ECHO ‘You don’t have to build on green belt’
September 4, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Well worth reading what the Government Planning Inspector said about Green Belt which goes against the edict which has been put out by RDC for years !!
Michael Hoy and I put forward a Motion to say that housing numbers must be assessed on LOCAL NEEDS years ago and the Tories were scathing in their rejection. But now they say that local needs are the key !!
Electoral Ward Review – Rochford District
August 27, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
LATEST UPDATE:
Rochford District Council will be considering, and voting on, the model presented in the map above on 4 September. (just click on the map to see it full screen.)
If you wish to read all of the Council’s working numbers then you can download it here.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is conducting an ‘Electoral Review’ to look at ward boundaries in order to shape Rochford District Council for the future.
The first Public Consultation is taking place right now from 22 July to 29 September to determine ward boundaries across the Rochford District.
Reflections on the Local Elections – with just 4 days to go!
May 19, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
By Christine Mason – Independent District Councillor for Hawkwell West

OpenClips / Pixabay
Seeking election or re-election is probably the most daunting job interview that you can experience. I certainly felt nervous and uncertain when attending work interviews. It takes a certain courage, or insanity, to multiply this activity a hundred-fold and effectively have a panel of examiners that cover every house and road, every opinion and point of view and to explain your perspective.
John and I are fortunate in that the community we live in seems to appreciate the work we do and often acknowledge it. They may not always agree with us but hey! – that’s democracy.
John Mason – Local Elections 2014 – Hawkwell West, Essex
April 28, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Why John Mason is asking you to Vote for him on 22 May 2014 at the Local Elections in Hawkwell West, Rochford District Council
Why You Should Vote For John Mason on 22 May
April 28, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Residents of Thorpe Road Have Had Enough !!
April 7, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Residents of the “Unmade End” of Thorpe Road. Hawkwell have suffered so much damage to the road surface that they have issued an Open Letter of Complaint to David Wilson Homes/Barratts at their Clements Gate (Christmas Tree Farm) Site.
We hope that Barratts will now listen to the these residents and put things right immediately.
Street Light Re-location in Rectory Road
Rochford District Council has also issued the following by email.
“Dear Councillor
It was apparent that the lamp columns along Rectory Road, which were required to be repositioned off of the footpath, had been installed by the power utilities company in the wrong place. They have been instructed accordingly and will put right their error.”
Local News from Hawkwell, Hockley and Rochford District
April 4, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment

Clements Gate – David Wilson Homes & Barratts – Update 20
March 2, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Development Committee was busy this week particularly for your Hawkwell West Councillors, John and Christine Mason, as two applications that affect our Ward were up for consideration. These were both for alterations to Conditions for the Housing Estate that is currently being built. Despite the developer receiving full, detailed approval in Dec 2012 our Officers seem to be constantly having to work on proposed alterations.
Clements Gate – David Wilson Homes & Barratts – Update 19
January 30, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
As ever your Ward Councillors, John and Christine Mason, have been busy dealing with issues and complaints and following a really helpful meeting with two of ECC engineers we are able to report the following;
- Two badly damaged areas in Thorpe Road pavement are to receive a temporary a repair today, 30 January, and discussions will be taking place next week regarding more permanent remedial works.
- The fence erected blocking a neighbour’s driveway is to be moved.
- The damaged section of Thorpe Road carriageway is to be inspected with a view to a satisfactory reinstatement of the road surface.
David Wilson Homes “hopes” to reopen a temporary path through Thorpe Road by Christmas – Quote – Unquote
December 6, 2013 by Editor · Leave a Comment
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.
“People Power” or How Residents Can Carry Out DIY Flood Prevention
December 1, 2013 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Hawkwell Brook Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st 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
November 16, 2013 by Editor · Leave a Comment
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.