A significant housing project in Essex proposing nearly 2,000 new homes alongside a supermarket and public facilities is meeting resistance from local Conservatives citing community concerns.
Plans are currently underway to develop a substantial housing project in Essex, proposing nearly 2,000 new homes, alongside a supermarket, a public house, and a general practitioner’s surgery. The site, referred to as North Benfleet Hall, is located between Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, just outside Pitsea, and the A130, to the north of Benfleet.
Public consultation surrounding these proposals is already open, with a significant event scheduled for March 22. The initiative is spearheaded by Croudace Homes, which intends to construct approximately 1,800 residential properties in the area.
However, the plans have elicited considerable opposition from the local Conservative Party, who have raised concerns regarding the potential impact on the existing landscape and community. Kevin Blake, deputy leader of the Basildon Conservatives, expressed his apprehension regarding the development, stating, “I know this area, it’s farmland. If this is greenbelt, as I suspect, we should not be building supermarkets or pubs on this land. I know we need more housing but we’ve already got pubs, let’s support existing businesses.”
Blake described the sheer volume of proposed homes as “a ridiculous amount,” suggesting that it may be excessive for the area. He indicated a need for more detailed scrutiny of the plans once they are formally submitted, commenting, “There is always a worry about local homes for local people, and we could even see the new homes being used for homeless families – it’s being done in other places. This is a lovely area and community and I worry this means loss of a community asset.”
In addition to Blake, Andrew Sheldon, Conservative county councillor for South Benfleet and a former leader of Castle Point Council, also voiced his concerns. Sheldon stated that the development would be situated right on the boundary of Basildon Council and Castle Point. He remarked, “The Labour Government is trying to force local authorities to let developers build thousands of homes in South Essex every year, but our infrastructure is already close to breaking point and won’t be able to cope.”
Sheldon highlighted potential consequences for local traffic, noting that the development could exacerbate congestion at Sadlers Farm, adversely affecting both Benfleet and Canvey Island. He expressed hope that Castle Point Borough Council would take a strong stance against the development on behalf of local residents.
Croudace Homes has been approached for comments regarding the allegations and concerns raised by local officials and residents.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://planning.org.uk/app/170/SOQJ4NCQ00A00 – This URL provides information about the proposed residential-led mixed-use development at North Benfleet Hall, which includes plans for up to 1,800 homes. It supports the claim about the scale of the housing project.
- https://www.benfleethistory.org.uk/content/browse-articles/areas/north-benfleet/north-benfleet-hall-built-for-the-tyrrell-family – This URL offers historical context about North Benfleet Hall, which was originally built for the Tyrrell family. It supports the background information about the site.
- https://www.bearestateagents.co.uk/bearshout/what-happened-to-north-benfleet-hall/ – This URL provides additional background information about North Benfleet Hall, highlighting its significance in local memories. It supports the claim about the site’s local importance.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is the source of the original article, providing context for the development plans and local reactions. However, specific details about the development are not directly available from this link.
- https://www.croudacehomes.co.uk – This URL is for Croudace Homes, the developer behind the proposed housing project. It supports the claim about the company’s involvement in the development.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions a public consultation scheduled for March 22, indicating recent activity. However, there is no clear indication that the content is recycled from older articles or press releases.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Kevin Blake and Andrew Sheldon are included, but no earlier online references were found. This suggests they might be original or recent statements.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Yellow Ad, which is not a widely recognized or major news outlet. This reduces certainty about its reliability compared to well-established publications.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about housing development and local opposition are plausible, especially given the context of housing needs and infrastructure concerns in the area. However, specific details like the exact impact on local infrastructure cannot be verified without further evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with recent events mentioned. Quotes seem original, but the source’s reliability is uncertain. Claims are plausible but require further verification for accuracy.
