Echo news from Southend, Basildon, Castle Point, Rayleigh, Rochford, Wickford, Billericay, Thurrock

Threat from 1,500 new homes

From the archive, first published Friday 20th Oct 2006.

Fears were growing today that "Dry Street 2" was on the cards at a huge site in Wickford.

The plans have surfaced just days after the Echo's "Save Dry Street" campaign emerged victorious.

The 100-acre green lung, near Barn Hall in Wickford, could feasibly house up to 1,500 homes, eclipsing the 1,300 homes planned for 95-acre Dry Street site.

Worried campaigners were mobilising today.

They have already collected a 100-strong petition in just 24 hours since learning surveyors were preparing a planning application for a "major development".

Residents alerted the Echo after spotting tests being carried out at the land off Station Lane, Wickford.

Gleeson Homes, which owns the site, today confirmed it hired surveyors to prepare plans.

Pensioner Jaqueline Boyns, 63, from Jubillee Drive, Wickford, said she had major concerns.

She said: "There is room for a lot of houses and the local infrastructure just could not cope.

"This is a well-used beautiful area for dog walking and you can also walk to Ramsden Heath through open countryside without touching a road. A badger set has been spotted plus foxes, birds, thick hedges and copses.

"They were checking the pond for great crested newts."

Mrs Boyns said urgent talks were taking place with Basildon Green Action Group which helped with the Echo's Save Dry Street campaign.

Basildon Council hoped to return the land to green belt along with Dry Street before its local plan for the district was scrapped because of wrangles with the Government.

This left both sites set aside for housing, and vulnerable to planning applications.

Staff for surveyors, Martin Healer Development Survey, told the Echo they were preparing plans for the whole site prior to an application.

Scott Chamberlain, managing director of Gleeson Land, said: "We can confirm we are currently carrying out a survey."

Council leader Malcolm Buckley said any application would have to be considered under the authority's planning policy.

He said: "I cannot pre-empt any outcome, but currently this site is designated as special reserve for housing if it is required in the future.

"We do not believe any more housing sites will be needed as we can find sites within urban areas, so any application may be premature."

Mr Buckley said the council would also try and make the land green belt.