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Please click on local news, information, newsletters and interesting websites below and also our Local Events Calendar . Please see Ashlea Simpson 'A Hawkwell lady living in the USA' and the 2011 update, near the end of this page. Also see Alexander Zass (Samson) a Russian strongman buried in Hockley, below and on our History & Photos page.
Echo Report 27 January 2012 – Change of heart on public loo closures
Closure threatened public toilets in the Rochford district will remain open after all. Five loos were facing the axe following budget cuts, but Rochford district councillors have had a change of heart and will now keep them open. The decision affects toilet blocks in Hullbridge, Hockley, Great Wakering, Rayleigh and Rochford. If the closures had gone ahead, the only Rochford Council toilet remaining would have been in Hockley Woods. Mike Steptoe, councillor responsible for the environment, said: “It’s is definitely not on the cards. We are now going to look at how we can maintain and bring them up to date. “Through a good bit of budgeting, we have managed to find some savings in other areas.” However, the reprieve may yet prove only to be partial, as they are still likely to close on Sundays and opening hours may also be reduced on other days. There had been fears closing the toilets put off visitors, especially to the riverside area in Hullbridge. Hullbridge councillor Michael Hoy said he would fight any attempt to reduce opening hours. He added: “I’m pleased they have realised the closure was a bad option, but I do have some concerns about Hullbridge having the toilets closed on Sundays in the winter. “I will be speaking to Mr Steptoe about it.” In January last year, councillors cut the district’s £101,000 public toilets budget by 45 per cent. In Rayleigh, the town council now runs the public toilets below its offices on King George’s Playing Field. Shoppers are also able use public toilets at the Mill Hall. The district council’s aim in announcing the closures was to persuade parish councils or businesses to take over responsibility for their local public loos.
Yellow Advertiser Report 26 January 2012 – Green Belt homes plan is approved.
‘Unavoidable’ - Councillor Keith Hudson.
Rochford Council has approved plans to develop 89 acres of Green Belt. Bellway Homes wants to build 600 dwellings on the plot north of Hall Road and south of Ironwell Lane. The application will have to be approved by the Secretary of State. If approved, the developer will submit more detailed plans. The scheme was approved despite opposition from residents and Rochford Parish Council. When consulted, Rochford Parish Council said: “The land is currently prime agricultural land and there are serious concerns regarding the loss of this. The road infrastructure will not cope with additional traffic, both during and after construction.” However, the county highways department said it would raise no objection if the developer met a number of conditions, including paying £500,000 towards ongoing highways projects. Southend Council and the Primary Care Trust also raised no objections on condition of financial contributions. Residents sent 215 objection letters raising more than 150 concerns. They said the developer had not demonstrated the very special circumstances required to build on Green Belt and that there were already many unsold houses on the market in the area. Councillor Keith Hudson, portfolio holder for planning, said the development was unavoidable. He said: “If you’ve bought a house next to a wonderful piece of green field or forest, the last thing you want is for that to change. But years ago, when there were no houses, someone built some in the middle of a green field. If they hadn’t, you wouldn’t be living there.” Mr Hudson said the estate would be surrounded by ‘permanent open space’. Asked how permanent the space would be, he said: “Nothing is forever, but there would have to be an inordinately strong case to build on this land. As far as I’m concerned, this is it for Rochford until the end of the current plan. I expect I’ll be dead and buried before the next plan comes along.”
Echo Report 25 January 2012 – Planners have jumped the gun over proposal for 600 homes
To those members of the public who attended Rochford Council’s meeting on January 18, the vote in favour of plans to build 600 houses north of Hall Road must have come as a shock. The only speakers were all against or believed there were legitimate grounds for refusal. Not one councillor spoke in support of the proposal. Serious grounds for opposition were produced, which could have enabled councillors to refuse the application. The primary grounds for refusal were that the land was in the green belt and was prime agricultural land, with a current crop, at a time when a world food shortage is upon us and imports are soaring. It was also made clear road chaos and gridlock would result due to limited access to the east. More serious was the assertion that because the council had approved the core strategy plan, it was fettered with that decision and would have difficulty refusing consent. The core strategy makes it clear the exact area of any green belt to be developed depended on the allocation document, which has not yet been approved. The council has therefore pre-empted that requirement. The core strategy requires 600 houses in West Rochford by 2021. The council has decided to allot the whole 600 in one area. The officers responsible for this dreadful decision will probably have moved to other authorities by the time the development has been completed, and the councillors will have retired, so they will be shielded from the chaos which inevitably will be caused by their decision.
Yellow Advertiser Report 19 January 2012 – Toilets saved but public excluded from hearing.
Saved: Councillor Ron Oatham outside one of the toilets staying open.
Details of how toilets will be funded not made public in council meeting. Rochford's public toilets have been saved - but members of the public were banned from sitting in on the decision. Press and public were asked to leave Wednesday's executive committee meeting while councillors debated the hot topic. A report presented at a November meeting had recommended that all public conveniences in Hockley, Hullbridge, Rayleigh, Rochford and Great Wakering be closed down to save money. But councillors rejected the plan and said they would try to find an alternative solution. Councillor Mike Steptoe, portfolio holder for the environment, said the toilets had been saved. He said: "I am quite pleased to say that the toilets are not going to be closed. There will be no toilet closures." However, details of how the toilets will be funded have not been made public. Councillor Michael Hoy said he felt uneasy about the decision to exclude members of the public. He said: "I think it's too easy to exclude the press and public. I think that decision may be taken too hastily sometimes and without much thought. "One of the things I've found is that quite frequently when decisions are made while the press and public are excluded, they'll be published too late for councillors to call them into the review committee. So I sometimes think it's a way of bypassing the system," However, Mr Steptoe said the, exclusion was necessary. He said: "In the report there were a number of items which could have been commercially sensitive." Asked whether the public should be prevented from hearing about how taxpayers' money would be spent he said: "In certain circumstances businesses could use the financial information for public gain." A cross section of councillors from the Lib Dem and Conservative groups have been opposed to closures for some time. Councillor Ron Oatham is among those that have been most openly critical of the proposals. Rochford Council said minutes from the meeting should be published by the end of this week.
Echo Report 5 January 2012 – 'New houses could lead to more antisocial kids'
Bad move - councillors Christine and John Mason, Anne Doward, David Blackwood and Carol Dutton standing where some of the development would be built.
Action group's fears as order against yobs reaches its end. Concerned residents fear a new housing estate could lead to a rise in antisocial behaviour in their village. The Hawkwell Action Group says if 176 new homes are built, it will add to the problems it already has. The village is covered by a dispersal order which gives police the power to move on youngsters gathering and making a nuisance of themselves, but that is due to run out later this month. Carol Dutton, spokeswoman for the group, says locals are worried the influx of young families, without any extra facilities for children will lead to more problems. She said: "Wereally feel it is the wrong site. "Talking to residents around where the building will affect us most, there are concerns about this dispersal order. "We have had plate glass windows broken in shops. Locals are worried that more people will bring more trouble. "My neighbours are saying this is going to be awful, we are going to be calling the police every five minutes. "There is nothing for youngsters to do around here. When I was a girl we had a youth centre. Youngsters can't afford to go to Clements Hall leisure centre." Rochford District councillors refused the plans when they came before a planning committee meeting last month, saying the design of the new homes was not good enough. But the developer, David Wilson Homes, is expected to improve the design for the Christmas Tree Farm site and bring them back before the council for further debate. Mrs Dutton, 65, of Thorpe Road, added: "I think it is something that needs to be thought about before any planning application is granted. "You are going to be bringing in young families with children and there is nothing for them here. "There is nothing to keep them out of trouble. "To its credit, the parish council has put in some skateboard ramps. "It is a lot of people, it is a housing estate. What do we do with the youth of the area given we already have a problem?" After the six-month dispersal order runs out, the police will look at the situation in the village and decide whether to apply for a new one.
Echo Report 19 December 2011 – Housing estate plan 'not good enough'
Councillors vote against greenbelt scheme after receiving 775-name. petition against it. Controversial plans for a new housing estate on greenbelt land have been sent back to the drawing board. However, there was no celebration among residents, who packed the latest council planning meeting, as many expect a revised proposal to soon emerge. The application, being discussed by Rochford District's Council, was for 175 new homes between Main Road, Rectory Road and Clements Hall Way, Hawkwell. Councillors said the homes planned for the Christmas Tree Farm site were not of a high enough standard. Campaigner Richard Hill, 58, of Spencers, Hawkwell, said residents were pleased and prepared to fight on. He said: "We will continue to question the legality of the site, but at the same time we will try and work to ensure that that it is in the right development. "Noting the tone of the meeting, we will work to ensure any revised application put in is more suited to the area and the existing residents." Myra Weir, speaking on behalf of Hawkwell Parish Council, said residents had many reasons to object to the proposals. She said: "The poor design of the houses and the estate layout will impact on wildlife, with the loss of trees destroying the very feature that makes Hawkwell attractive. Hawkwell asks the district council to be mindful of the opposition to the application. The people of Hawkwell have spoken, please vote against this application." A 775-signature petition was presented to the council by members of the Christmas Tree Farm Development Action Group, of which Mr Hill is chairman. The group was set up to object to a previous plan from the same developer David Wilson Homes for 330homes and a health centre. That proposal was rejected by the district council in 2009 and later thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal in July last year. Council officers recommended the latest plans for approval, but councillors said the application needed more work before they would agree to it. Hawkwell councillor John Mason said he didn't think the design was high quality enough. He said: "It is not distinctive, It is 'anywhere' housing. It is an important issue for me. It is an important issue for the residents." Councillors voted almost unanimously against the scheme.
Echo Report 19 December 2011 – Ten-year plan for homes·across district
The final seal of approval has been given for 1,785homes to be built in Rochford district within the next ten years. It was confirmed at the meeting there will be 550 in Rayleigh, 600 in west Rochford, 50 in west Hockley, 100 in east Ashingdon, 250in south west Hullbridge, 60 in south Canewdon and the 175 in south Hawkwell. Councillors are keen for the housing estate in south Hawkwell to set the standard for other areas. Chris Black, Lib Dem councillor for Downhall and Rawreth, said: "We know we are going to have 175 houses somewhere in this general location. "We have quite a large development by David Wilson Homes in our ward and it is one of the nicest parts of Rayleigh, in my opinion. "I was initially pleased, as I thought we would get quality. I am very disappointed. We need to get it right." Keith Hudson, Tory councillor responsible for planning, was pleased the overall plan for the district had been agreed. He said: "We now have a plan that makes a lot of sense. The numbers stack up and when the dust has settled and folk come to terms with what is now a committed plan, they will eventually appreciate what has been achieved." The aim is to build 3,800 new homes in Rochford within the next 15years.
Yellow Advertiser Report 15 December 2011 – Council opposes Green Belt plan
Campaigners have called on Rochford Council to stop a plan for houses to be built on Green Belt Land in Hawkwell.
The Leader of Hawkwell Parish Council has led calls for Rochford District Council to refuse a planning application to build 176 homes on Green Belt land. The 11.6 hectare plot in Hawkwell is situated between Main Road, Rectory Road and Clements Hall Way. Vic Leach said the parish council was ‘absolutely opposed’ to an application by David Wilson Homes, north of Rectory Road. He said: “It will have the effect of urbanising a rural part of the parish and will increase dramatically the heavy traffic that already flows through the area. “Our objection of overdevelopment remains. They will still continue to have three floors of accommodation.” The project would require a road extension and the relocation of a high pressure gas main. The plans will be discussed at a public meeting tonight (Thursday). They include the demolition and replacement of an existing bungalow. The dwellings would be built towards the east and west of the site with an area of open space between the two plots. All of the houses would contain between two and four bedrooms and all but 10 would be two storeys tall. The remaining 10 would be two-and-a-half storeys with rooms built into the roof areas. Only 62 of the houses would be designated ‘affordable’. Alan James, vice-chairman of the Hawkwell Residents Association, said the group was also opposed to the plans. He said: “We’re totally against it. We’re against developing Green Belt full stop, but this is a particularly bad location. It’s right next to a single file road with traffic lights. This is just going to add traffic.”
Rochford ward Labour candidate, Rob Brown, said that the developer had not demonstrated the ‘exceptional circumstances’ required to build on Green Belt, but warned that once the new Conservative Localism Bill is introduced tables will turn and local councils will have to find exceptional circumstances to prevent Green Belt developments. He said: “This location is on the council’s proposed Core Strategy so I fear it will only be a matter of time before the development goes through. “It is important we have new properties in the district. We especially need more affordable homes. It is unacceptable that young people are being forced out of the district they grew up in. “However, this plan provides the bare minimum of affordable housing – 35 per cent – required by the Core Strategy. “If we are going to develop these sites, a bigger proportion of the units should be affordable.” The plans will be discussed at a public meeting today (Thursday) in the Civic Suite at the Council Chamber, 2 Hockley Road. It will start at 7.30pm. The land, which includes the Hawkwell Christmas Tree Farm, was the subject of another controversial application by the same developers in 2009. The company had planned to build 330 homes on the site, up to three storeys tall. The plans were opposed by Hawkwell parish councillors and residents’ groups. Rochford District Council, who had earmarked the site for only 175 houses in its Core Strategy, denied the original application. A spokesman for David Wilson Homes said access has been improved for pedestrians and there will be an extra cycle route.
Echo Report 12 December 2011 – We don’t want new homes on green belt
Campaign protesters who fought plans for an earlier development, which was rejected.
Hundreds of angry residents have signed a petition against plans for 176 new homes. Rochford District Council is due to discuss an application for a new estate on green belt land between Main Road, Rectory Road and Clements Hall Way, Hawkwell. Ahead of the meeting, members of the Christmas Tree Farm Development Action Group have collected a 775-signature petition against the proposal. The crunch meeting will be held on Thursday, but members of the action group were disappointed they were only given the date last Wednesday. Richard Hill, chairman of the action group, said the level of notice is “less than satisfactory”. Mr Hill, 58, of Spencers, in Hawkwell, said: “I have been out in the rain giving out newsletters urging residents to attend to show the strength of feeling.” The action group was set up to object to a plan from the same developer for 330 homes and a health facility. The group felt the plan was too big and would ruin the character of the semi-rural area. The previous proposal was rejected by the district council in 2009 and the plan was later thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal in July last year. Mr Hill said: “We feel there are other sites in the area that could be used and the amount of homes could be broken up and distributed across a number of sites in the area.” The proposal is for a mixture of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes with 56 affordable houses. There would be three new access roads – off Thorpe Road, off Clements Hall Way, and off Rectory Road, a public open space and landscaping. Hawkwell Parish Council has also submitted written objections, stating it would constitute an over-development of the 28-acre site. A report prepared by council officers suggests the proposal should be recommended for approval. The meeting will be held at the council chamber, in Hockley Road, Rayleigh, from 7.30pm.
Echo Report 05 December 2011 – Local beat bobbies to be moved in budget cuts
Residents say switching officers to other areas will damage intelligence gathering. Moving officers needlessly destroys knowledge. This damages intelligence led policing. We need more intelligence, not less.
One in four neighbourhood police officers are set to be moved to other areas as part of drastic budget cuts. Residents fear the changes at Essex Police will lead to a lack of local knowledge within the force. They are also worried they will lose officers who have spent years forging links with their community. The changes have particularly concerned Hockley Residents' Association, which voiced its fears with Essex Police. Now, the force, which has to cut more than £40million from its budget, has revealed the town will lose its inspector and one of its experienced sergeants. There is only one neighbourhood officer solely dedicated to Hockley, who will remain in post.In March, the Rochford district will be allocated five neighbourhood officers, to be based at Rayleigh police station. But Essex Police cannot confirm which areas these officers will be dedicated to. An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "It required elsewhere would need changes to neighbourhood policing teams across the force. "There will be a 75 per cent retention of neighbourhood constables in their current areas. "Hockley neighbourhood policing team will retain two PCs and the PCSOs. The current inspector and a sergeant have skill-sets required else-was identified that skill-sets,where, changes mean that the team is not losing any roles, only personalities." Brian Guyett, chairman of Hockley Residents' Association, said constant changes undermined effective policing in the area. He said: "When, we last had an enthusiastic neighbourhood policing officer, crime rates fell. When he moved, the downward trend evened out and then rose dramatically. "Moving officers needlessly destroys knowledge. This damages intelligence led policing. With fewer officers due to budget cuts, we need more intelligence not less." However, the police spokeswoman added: "Having new officers does not necessarily mean losing local knowledge, as their experience will lead them to quickly go out and about in their local community to meet partners and find out who their local villians are. "A different set of eyes can sometimes be beneficial as officers moving from other areas adopt learned best practice throughout their careers."
Echo Report 24 November 2011 – Crime stats are wrong, senior cop confesses
A Senior police officer has admitted crime figures were skewed because incidents reported to community police officers were not officially recorded. Insp Chris Wood made the admission after the borough’s councillors expressed concerns residents were ringing the wrong number to report crimes. Councillors told him residents had been mistakenly ringing a community support officer’s mobile to report antisocial behaviour and other incidents, instead of the 101 non-emergency police line. Mr Wood admitted those calls going to PCSOs were not logged as official crimes leading to several being unrecorded – blurring the figures. He said all community officers were being told to record all incidents reported on the mobiles. He added: “The problem has been resolved.” The admission came at an overview and scrutiny meeting where councillors disputed a report by the Castle Point Community Safety Partnership, which claimed the borough achieved the highest reduction in crime in the whole of Essex last year. The report said that all crime in the 2010/11 financial year had fallen by 12 per cent since 2009, and that ten per cent more residents said they felt safe after dark. Dave Blackwell, chairman of the committee, said: “Claims that anti-social behaviour in the borough has reduced is absolute rubbish. “The fact is we are not getting a true reflection of the borough’s crime figures. “If every single person had their incident properly recorded in the next few weeks, the figures would change dramatically.” Lee Barrett, of the Canvey Independent Party, said the way crimes should be reported was confusing for residents who were given mobile phone numbers, the 101 number and the out of Essex non-emergency number. The councillor for Canvey Island East, said: “Part of the problem for residents is that they do not know which number to ring when incidents are not an emergency. “People do not want to ring the wrong number and waste police time, and having multiple police numbers just adds to the confusion.”
Yellow Advertiser Report 17 November 2011 – Future of public toilets uncertain after meeting
The end?: Councillor Ron Oakham outside Crown Hill Rayleigh public toilets that face closure.
The future of Rochford's public toilets is in question after councillors rejected plans to close them next Spring but admitted they may still be shut down. In on Wednesday, November 9, councillors overruled a recommendation that five of the area's six council-run public toilets be closed on March 31, 2012. However, the future of the facilities remains uncertain. The premises under threat are located on Crown Hill, Rayleigh; Back Lane, Rochford; Southend Road, Hockley; Pooles Lane, Hullbridge and High Street, Great Wakering. The toilets are facing closure after a report found that it was 'not practicable' to reduce the budget for public conveniences by £30,000, as had been agreed in a meeting on January 25, 2011. The four-page report, presented at Wednesday's meeting, recommended that, "the public conveniences in Hockley, Hullbridge, Rayleigh, Rochford and Great Wakering will close with effect from 1 April 2012." Several councillors expressed concern about the plans ahead of the meeting. Liberal Democrat councillors Chris Black and Ron Oatham told the Yellow Advertiser that they opposed the plans. Mr Oattham said "The closest toilets to me are the ones on Crown Hill and there is a good deal of money needed to be spent on those but, for the record, I'm against closing them." Councillor Angela Hale revealed that Conservative councillors shared the Lib Dems' misgivings and had already decided to reject the controversial plans in an 'extremely heated and loud' closed Conservative party meeting on the evening of Monday, November 7. Describing the proposal to close the public toilets as 'harsh', Ms Hale said: "We need to provide for our public. We can't not have public conveniences. It's just not right." Also speaking on Tuesday, November 8, councillor Toby Mountain confirmed that the proposal had been discussed at the Conservative party meeting. Describing the potential savings from closing the facilities as 'minimal', he said: "We are looking at pressing council officers to come up with alternative solutions. The group of people who will miss it most are generally the elderly or young people. Why should they have to go into a pub?" Chair of the council, Simon Smith, said: "I'd fall off my seat were closed. It'd be crazy and I'd be surprised if anybody thought it was a good idea." However, councillor Mike Steptoe, portfolio holder for the environment, told the Yellow Advertiser on the morning after the meeting that the future of the facilities remains uncertain. A new recommendation drafted in light of Wednesday's meeting, reads: "That, by January 2012, officers develop a Public Toilet Strategy for the District in order to minimise the impact of possible closures."if the toilets Mr Steptoe said: "So depending on what strategy the officers come up with, they might not have been saved entirely." Richard Evans, Rochford Council's Head of Environmental Services, said: "I would not suggest for one second that this is an.easy cut, but we've got to restore our financial position."
Echo Report 11 November 2011 – Police chief faces concerned councillors over budget cuts in Rochford and Rayleigh
A police chief has vowed to do all he can to keep bobbies on the Rochford and Rayleigh beat in light of Essex Police’s imminent budget cuts. Concerned councillors quizzed Rochford’s police commander, Chief Insp Glen Westley, at the latest district council’s West Forum. Rayleigh town councillor Dave Sperrin said many residents were unsure what the changes actually meant for their local cops. He said: “We are getting quite confused. What is the policing policy in this district? “We feel this year we have been very exposed in Rayleigh and generally throughout the district because of commitments at Dale Farm. “That is now over. We have had new neighbourhood PCs appointed and now they are being moved. “In our naive way, we expect neighbourhood policing means one person getting to know the neighbourhood and the neighbourhood getting to know one person.” Essex Police is shaking up the way the force operates in order to save £41million over the next four years. In spite of this, Chief Insp Westley said he was doing all he could to keep local officers on the Rayleigh and Rochford patch. He said: “Prior to Dale Farm, we had the riots in London that went on for a number of weeks. We have just emerged from that particular tunnel to be hit with the blueprint which is a countywide reorganisation for the whole force. “I have made a plea to some people in the reform programme at headquarters and I have managed to get four of our officers back from where they were due to go.” Essex Police say an appeals process is under way regarding the movement of individual officers, which is due to be completed by the end of the month.
Echo Report 28 October 2011 – Are we ready for the big overhaul in NHS management?
Health check - power to manage NHS budgets will shift to GPs in 2013.
In 2013, groups of doctors will take control of health budgets. In less than two years, the NHS will undergo the biggest power transfer in its 63-year history. The power to manage budgets, set priorities and commission NHS treatment will leave primary care trusts and end up in the hands of GPs. After the Government's abolition of primary care trusts on March 31, 2013, seven groups of doctors will take responsibility for managing the health budget across south Essex. Each will consist of between eight to 22 practices and manage about 75,000patients. NHS chiefs, led by the Government, say the changes will improve the experiences of patients and the way they are treated. Jackie Brown, director of transition at NHS South East Essex, said: "GPs will assume greater responsibility for commissioning most health services. "They will get to grips with difficult challenges, such as managing the demand for urgent and emergency care." But, for some doctors, the overhaul is a destruction of the system they know and appreciate. Dr Marimuthu Velmurugan, a GP in Westcliff and an Independent Southend councillor, said: "This reform is going to be yet another fine mess the politicians have pushed the NHS into. "They should have kept the primary care trusts and brutally cut the management structure, trimming it to the minimum and ditching the target culture. "Let the GPs and nurses do only the clinical work and get paid what they deserve." Overhauling the NHS has been an ambition of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley for years. At the moment, trusts are given annual budgets of about £500million and can decide how to spend the cash. Under the proposed new system, it would be GPs who decide how the money is spent. The "clinical commissioning groups" would have annual budgets of between £100million and £150million and be given free rein to decide whether to spend it in hospitals or refer patients to private clinics instead. The plans suffered a hiccup earlier this year when, under extreme pressure from doctors, nurses and rival politicians, the Government was forced to backtrack and make some minor amendments. The Bill was voted through at the second attempt last month and is now working its way through the House of Lords. In south Essex, five main groups have been named, with two others in Brentwood and Thurrock. Sam Hepplewhite, deputy director of commissioning development at NHS Midlands and East, said: "These groups of GP practices have demonstrated readiness and are genuinely excited about the opportunities presented by the NHS modernisation agenda. "It shows the significant enthusiasm of GPs and other clinicians in the east to begin designing and commissioning NHS services, to improve quality for patients." Over the next two years, the groups will take an increasing control of NHS budgets as they prepare for a seamless transfer in 2013. Whether that will happen successfully could largely depend on the relationship between the doomed trusts and the GPs, as the power slips between the two. Andrew Pike, chief executive of both south Essex primary care trusts, said: "It is important to get these arrangements in place as early as possible, so people have time to adapt."
Echo Report 27 October 2011 – Town may lose its community police
Officers could be moved from Rochford in budget cuts shake-up. Campaigners fear community police officers in the Rochford district could be moved out as part of budget cuts. Essex Police have to slash £41million from their budget over the next four years by radically changing the way the force operates. Rumours are circulating in Rochford that individual neighbourhood officers could be shifted to Basildon. Police insist a neighbourhood policing team will still be based in the area, but admitted individual officers could be moved. Brian Guyett, chairman of Hockley Residents' Association, said shifting officers who had forged links with the community would be a bad move. He added: "It seems to me that neighbourhood policing is about local officers who know the locality and know the people in the area and the people in the area know their police officers. "You are losing years of local experience and knowledge which has to be detrimental to local policing. It undermines the whole philosophy of neighbourhood policing." Terry Cutmore, Tory leader of Rochford District Council, added: "The whole point of a neighbourhood team is they know the neighbourhood. "If that is going to happen, what I would like to see is some more explanation as to the reason for doing that." Essex Police admitted officers could be moved. A spokesman said an appeals process was under way regarding the movement of individual officers, which is due to be completed by the end of November. However, a spokeswoman for Essex Police, added: "Rochford neighbourhood policing team are currently based at Rayleigh police station, and will continue to do so when the new operational policing blueprint launches in March. "The core role of neighbourhood officers will continue to be problem solving, reducing crime, tackling antisocial behaviour, community safety and engagement, and developing community intelligence. "This includes the delivery of beat surgeries and attendance at neighbourhood action panels and parish council meetings."
Echo Report 27 October 2011 – 6,200 jobs on Southend Airport’s satellite business parks
Ambitious plans to create more than 6,200 jobs on a vast swathe of new business parks around Southend Airport have been finalised. Bosses at Southend Council and Rochford District Council have finished work on the final draft of their joint area action plan – a blueprint for the future of land around the airport. The report includes grand proposals to build a new 99,000sqm business park on land off Aviation Way, as well as a public park and a new home for Westcliff Rugby Club. Chiefs also hope to persuade up to two more major airlines to follow easyJet’s lead and set up a permanent base in the town. Jonathan Garston, the Tory councillor responsible for planning at Southend Council, said: “The document is the next step forward for the airport area, following all the major expansions. “It is about agreeing a framework for Southend and Rochford and to ensure we are able to attract new businesses to the area.” The plan, which has been more than five years in the making, outlines Southend Council and Rochford District Council’s agreed goals for the airport and its surrounding area. The blueprint is designed to smooth the way for future planning applications from private firms by setting out what would be acceptable and what would not. Saxon Business Park, a 99,000sqm office development on fields north of the existing Aviation Way industrial estate, is one of the flagship projects which bosses hope will be mostly completed before 2021. Chiefs also want to see a smaller business park built in the crook of Nestuda Way and the A127, and the expansion of the Aviation Way industrial estate. If the proposed developments become a reality, bosses believe they could create thousands of new jobs. They also want to see up to three airlines with permanent bases at the airport. The draft is due to be considered by Southend Council cabinet members at their meeting next week. If it is rubber-stamped by Tory leaders at both councils, it will be sent to Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Local Government, for final approval. Members of the public will be able to launch objections and trigger a public inquiry, but only if they think the plan is legally flawed.
Echo Report 27 October 2011 – Southend Airport’s new £10million terminal will need to treble in size to hit passenger targets.
The Echo can reveal airport bosses hope to submit a planning application within the next six months for proposals to dramatically expand the building, which has not even opened yet. They hope to have the extension in place by 2014 to help the airport cater for two million passengers a year, while keeping queues to a minimum. Alastair Welch, the airport’s managing director, said: “When we applied for the runway extension, the environmental assessment took into account an extension to the new passenger terminal and we have designed the new terminal with extension in mind. “To ensure the high standards of service we wish to offer, it is likely we would wish to bring an extension into use by 2014 and an application for this is likely to be forthcoming within the next six months.” Work on the two-storey terminal started in January this year and is on track to be completed by February. The building has three departure gates and five aircraft stands on the concrete apron outside. However, bosses have promised passengers will wait no longer than four minutes when going through security. The current 60m-long terminal has only been designed to cope with about 700,000 people a year, and much of that capacity will be swallowed up by the demands of easyJet when the budget airline begins flying from the airport in April. To hit the two million passengers a year target and keep within the four-minute limit, bosses plan to add to the building’s northern end. The extension is expected to mirror the current development. It will include new departure gate, aircraft stands and check-in desks, although Mr Welch said it was too soon to speculate on the exact layout. However, designers are believed to have taken into account the need for expansion when designing the new terminal. Mr Welch said: “It is too soon to talk about details of internal layout, or size, although the aim has always been to have the terminal and station in balance. “We are seeking to ensure the very best levels of service.” The move will have to be rubber-stamped by Southend Council, but the authority has already indicated it will back the plan in its joint area action plan. The report says: “Applications for planning permission for the expansion of terminal facilities will be welcomed.”
Echo Report 25 October 2011 – Plans have been resurrected to build more than 100 homes in Hawkwell.
An application to demolish Number 31 Thorpe Road, and build 176 houses on Christmas Tree Farm, has been submitted to Rochford District Council by developer David Wilson Homes. Original plans for 330 homes were rejected twice – first by Rochford District Council, and again by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal. The new development would include access off Thorpe Road, Clements Hall Way and Rectory Road, as well as a road network, public open space and moving a high-pressure gas main. The previous plans sparked outcry among local residents who formed a campaign group to voice their opposition to them. Hawkwell Parish Council has written a formal representation to the council, outlining its objections. Council chairman, Vic Leach, said: “The principle objections were that it was green belt land, that it was considered over-development and that it urbanised the otherwise semi-rural area of the parish. “It was agreed the parish council should forward the minutes of our meeting to every member of the development control committee, with a covering letter protesting at the inadequate consultation, and demanding to be provided with an opportunity to see the plans and seek clarifications from officers.” The 28-acre site will see a mix of two, three and four-bedroomed, two-storey houses, some with rooms in the roof. Within the development there will be 56 affordable houses in three areas of the site, and open space in the middle of the site. Keith Hudson, Tory councillor responsible for planning, said the plans were a resubmitted version of ones put in earlier in the year. He said: “Nothing has changed from the original application. The only thing is they have redesigned part of it in discussion with officers.” The application is available to view at Rochford Council’s offices in South Street, Rochford, from 8.30am until 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am until 5pm on Friday. Details can also be found at www.rochford.gov.uk .
Our objections to RDC against the David Wilson Homes Planning Application 11/00259/FUL
The Hawkwell Residents Association has had many objections to the proposed David Wilson Homes Planning Application 11/00259/FUL. We regard the Christmas Tree Farm area as totally unsuitable for the 176 homes proposed in the application for the following reasons:
· We would like to see no new homes built on green belt land in our area but especially not in this particular green belt area. Apart from spoiling the character of the area, the road joins the busy B1013 at one end and has single file traffic lights at the other. The B1013 will be turned into a continuous traffic jam if these homes and other homes proposed for the area are built. We believe it would be better to spread any new homes throughout the Hawkwell area. This is an area prone to frequent electricity black outs and we are sure other services would require considerable updating.
· We assume the proposed additional lane added to Rectory Road at the mini-roundabout is still included although we have been unable to find this in this proposal. Additional vehicles at this junction will come from the building of the new homes, the additional residents, their delivery services and visitors. We believe modern computer controlled traffic lights would be a better solution as traffic currently tails back in all direction at peak times and this will only get worse as the development at the airport is increasingly used.
· No consideration has been given to the proximity of shops and schools as due to the lack of public transport additional car usage would result. The additional homes will put an enormous strain on the infrastructure of our area and not just the road system. There will be an additional demand on our doctors and dentists and on schools and social services. Additional demand on gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage. There is now no evening number 8 bus service through this area even though Clements Hall Leisure Centre is in location. We believe that before any additional homes are built in this area the evening buses should be brought back.
· The Rochford and Southend areas are enclosed by the River Crouch, the sea and the Thames and is only properly accessed from the west. For this reason we believe the sensible place to locate additional homes would be in the western part of Rochford district in the form of a new village located on the edge of district with all the necessary services and access roads.
. ECC have stated that the B1013 is now running at 72% capacity. The Core Strategy proposal would bring the traffic to an unbearable level. We believe that no major infrastructure improvements have been carried out in the Hawkwell area for more than 30 years. We believe that before any additional homes are built in this area the following road improvement should be made in our area:
· Upgrade Rectory Road and widen road and footpath at the Christmas Tree Farm area.
· Replace the mini-roundabout at Rectory Road with modern computer controlled traffic lights.
· Return of the number 8 evening bus service through Rectory Road.
· Improvements to all services including gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage.
· Increase capacity at all the local Schools in the area.
· Increase capacity at all the local Doctors and Dentists services in the area.
· Increase ambulance, fire and police emergency services.
· Provide and run a youth club in the Hawkwell area that could be located in the Xmas tree farm area.
· To provide and run allotments in the Hawkwell area that could be located in the Xmas Tree Farm area.
· Replace traffic light controlled single lane at the railway bridge with a wider bridge.
· Upgrade the B1013 Hall Road and provide missing and upgrade existing pavements.
· Proper main road street lighting for the B1013 Hall Road.
· A cycle path route from Rochford through Hockley to Rayleigh.
Chair: Angela Heath - Hawkwell Residents Association 16 October 2011 www.hawkwell.org
A man has set up an e-petition against Essex County Council plans to switch off street lights. Keith Barber, 61, of Clinton Road, Canvey, pictured,is the first to use the new facility on the council's website. In June, the council decided it would push ahead with plans to turn off 70 per cent of street lights between midnight and 5am to save £14million in electricity bills and cut carbon emissions. However, Mr Barber says the idea will damage public safety and lead to a rise in crime. He said: "The e-petition is a good facility where everyone can have their say. The petition will be online until January 2. It needs more than 14,000 signatures to be referred to a full council meeting for debate. The e-petition can be found online at Click on Details and then on Signatures and Sign Petition.
Echo Report 12 September 2011 – Council fails in bid to extend period for building new homes in district
New homes in Rochford will be built at a rate of 250 a year for the next 14 years. It comes after Rochford Council agreed a blueprint for development at an extraordinary meeting. The meeting considered the way forward after the council lost a bid to delay implementing its core strategy - the authority's vision for where new homes should and should not be built. Council bosses wanted to suspend its core strategy and reduce the quota of homes to be built each year to 190 by extending the number of years during which new homes had to be built. But a request to the Government has been dismissed. Keith Hudson, the Tory councillor responsible for planning, said at the meeting: "This council did all in its power to reduce the build rate from 250 to 190, by extending the period to 2031. "This council was thwarted in its efforts by circumstances way beyond its control. "Without an acceptable and approved core strategy, we will leave this district in such a vulnerable position as to open our borders and to leave the field gates wide open to all and sundry, to build what they will, where they will, and without the benefit to the people of Rochford of any planning gain whatsoever." The council could have chosen to proceed with plans for 250 homes a year, with the council identifying locations and numbers of homes within each location. Alternatively, it could have withdrawn the strategy altogether, which would have meant 250 homes still needed to be built, but the authority would not have been allowed to determine where. Members agreed to proceed with the blueprint which will allow the council to determine where homes are built.
Echo Report 3 August 2011 – 23-year-old's triumph at Model Power Boat Association Championships
The Winner - Lee Heath
A model powerboat enthusiast has won his category at the British Championship. Lee Heath, 23, who works at family business Heath’s RC Models in London Road, Hadleigh, won first prize at the Model Power Boat Association championships. He battled scores of competitors and beat the current world champion to the top spot. Lee, who lives in Hawkwell, has been racing boats for about four years with the Ostend Ospreys club based at Althorne, near South Woodham Ferrers. He said: “It is good fun really. I have now qualified for the world championship.” Stephen Hart, 52, from Westcliff, who is chairman of the club, also came top in two categories at the same event. He said: “I’ve been doing this about 30 years. This was my nine and tenth UK title. When I first started there was four or five of us and we have got about 30 now. “For me, half the pleasure is making the boats. I do all the mechanics, design all my own boats and make them from scratch.”
Echo Report 25 July 2011 – Calls for new study into district's housing needs
Councillors claim plan will leave Rochford with too many homes
Rochford could be lumbered with thousands of new homes it doesn't need, opposition councillors fear. The Tory-run district council is standing by its core strategy, a blueprint calling for 3,800 new homes a year, which was agreed almost two years ago. However, Lib Dem and independent councillors have called for a new, updated plan to be drawn up and put out to public consultation immediately. John Mason, independent councillor, for Hawkwell West, said: "What the council needs to do is return to the public as soon as possible, with proposals backed by a local housing study residents will accept. "If the council does not do this, I fear the ultimate imposition of 5,000 or even 6,000 new homes, when we may only need 2,000." The core strategy, which set out the housing requirements for the district for the next 15 years, was approved by the council in September 2009. Since then, it has become bogged down in the legal mire surrounding the previous Labour Government's controversial regional strategies, which imposed targets for how many homes councils should build. The council's Tory group is hoping the coalition Government's Localism Bill, which is due to become law by the end of the year, will finally scrap these targets and allow the council's core strategy to proceed. Lib Dem and independent councillors believe the housing situation has changed so much since 2009, Whitehall will inevitably reject Rochford's housing proposals. But the Tory leadership argues its proposal is still sound and has vowed to stand by it. Keith Hudson, Tory councillor responsible for planning, said: "It is essential we get it approved, and as soon as possible."
Hawkwell Residents Association Response To: Rochford Local Development Framework Sustainability Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment Sustainability Appraisal Technical Report Addendum June 2011
Rochford District Council (RDC) should not expect to receive many comments on this 57 page document that is basically only widely available online and from resident that have survey fatigue. We believe that RDC does need a District Plan (or Core Strategy) but not one that is based on using green belt or squeezing as much as possible on to brown field sites. We also believe if a large number of homes are required to be built on green belt land in Rochford district they should be in the form of a new village located on the edge of district with all the necessary services and access roads. As for the Hawkwell area we do not believe it would a good idea to build new homes on the Christmas Tree Farm green belt area in Rectory Road. Apart from spoiling the character of the area, the road joins the busy B1013 at one end and has single file traffic lights at the other. This is an area prone to frequent electricity black outs and we are sure other services would require considerable updating. Even though Clements Hall is in this area, there is only a limited bus service during the day and nothing in the evenings. The Christmas Tree Farm area is a vital part of a green corridor that runs through Hawkwell.
We wish to make the following points on the assessment:
* We are pleased that Localism is coming but that should mean consulting with as many people as possible at grass roots level.
* Any future consultations should not be made using a heavy weight documents that prevents printing and general distribution.
* Any future plans should not be in one location which would change the nature of the group of villages that make up the Rochford district. Consideration should be given to the proximity of shops and schools, as due to the lack of public transport, there would be additional car usage clogging up the existing roads.
* That comprehensive consultation should take place with ECC, other district councils, local parish / town councils, residents associations and other interested parties in and around our district.
* Large numbers of additional homes will put an enormous strain on the infrastructure of our area, particularly the road system, which should be addressed in any future proposals.
* Consideration should be given that new homes will generate additional vehicles on the roads from the building work, the additional residents, their delivery services and visitors and of course airport expansion traffic. There will also be additional demand on our doctors and dentists, additional demand on schools and social services and additional demand on gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage.
* The evening number bus 8 service should be resumed.
* Moving Eldon Way and the Foundry Estate to a green belt site at the airport area will increase mileage for employees and the lack of public transport will limit employment to car users. We believe cycling there would be a poor and unrealistic substitute as at the moment there is a lack of cycle routes.
* ECC have stated that the B1013 is now running at 72% capacity. The current Core Strategy proposal would bring the traffic to an unbearable level. No details and estimated costs are given of the many road improvement we believe would be necessary.
* This area is enclosed by the River Crouch, the sea and the Thames and is only properly accessed from the west. For this reason we believe the sensible place to locate additional homes would be in the western part of Rochford district.
* We believe that no major infrastructure improvements have been carried out in the Hawkwell area for more than 30 years.
We also believe that the following infrastructure improvements in the Hawkwell / Hockley area, that are not included in the current Core Strategy document, should be addressed before any additional homes are built:
1. Replacement of Rectory Road Railway Bridge for two-way traffic.
2. Computer controlled traffic lights at the Rectory Road / Hall Road junction.
3. Upgrade Rectory Road and widen road and footpath at the Christmas Tree Farm area.
4. Upgrade the B1013 Hall Road and provide missing and upgrade existing pavements.
5. Proper main road street lighting for the B1013 Hall Road and B1013 Rayleigh Road.
6. A cycle path route from Rochford through Hockley to Rayleigh.
7. A new pelican crossing in B1013 Main Road near Tudor Way.
8. Return to two buses an hour in both directions for the 7 and 8 services between Southend and Rayleigh and the return of the 8 evening bus service.
9. Improvements to all services including gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage.
10. Increase capacity at all the local Schools in the area.
11. Increase capacity at all the local Doctors and Dentists and hospital services in the area.
12. Increase ambulance, fire and police emergency services.
13. Provide and run a youth club in the Hawkwell area.
14. To provide and run allotments in the Hawkwell area.
15. To extend the existing Cherry Orchard Park to Mount Bovers Lane and Hockley Woods.
16. Replace the existing Hockley Spa roundabout with a wider traffic light junction complete with pedestrian cross lights.
17. Install a double mini roundabout at Station Road and Station Approach junction with Spa Road for Hockley Station.
18. Install a mini roundabout on the B1013 at Folly Lane.
19. Make up / Upgrade Plumberow Avenue through to Lower Road in Hockley complete with pavements, main road street lighting and a mini roundabout at the Lower Road junction.
20. Upgrade Watery Lane / Beeches Road in Hullbridge from Lower Road complete with pavements, main road street lighting and a mini roundabout at the Lower Road junction.
Chair: Angela Heath - Hawkwell Residents Association 08 July 2011 www.hawkwell.org
Echo Report 18 July 2011 – Tributes made to policeman and clerk Paul
Missed - Paul Stanley, 66
Tributes have been paid to a parish council clerk who died suddenly aged 66. Paul Stanley was a former Chief superintendent and divisional commander with Essex Police. He retired in 1998after a 33-year career, which saw him work in Southend, Grays, Laindon, Tilbury and Rayleigh. Following his retirement, Mr Stanley continued serving the public by joining Hockley Parish Council as its clerk. Mr Stanley lived near Southend Airport with his wife, Carol. The couple had three children and six grandchildren. Mr Stanley's son, Mark, said: "We are all devastated at losing dad. He was a great husband, father and grandfather and he will be dearly missed." Roy Martin, chairman of Hockley Parish Council, said the tragic news came as a shock to everyone who knew Mr Stanley. He said: "Paul was a picture of health, he was in his sixties and was fit and didn't smoke or drink. "He was very active and ate all the right things. "He was such a popular man within the council, but also in the area. "The role of clerk is a very important one. Paul always kept the councillors in order. He was very diplomatic and very friendly." Mr Martin said Mr Stanley had been a mentor to him since he became a councillor six years ago. He added: "He was very well respected. "Our finance officer was formerly the clerk, so he has stepped in for the moment. "But Paul will be missed terribly." Rick Gibbinson, 67, was a childhood friend of Mr Stanley's. They became close again in recent years, when Mr Gibbinson joined the South East Essex Freshwater Angling Society, where Mr Stanley was already a member and chairman. He said: "Paul was an absolute gentleman. 'Achieving high office within the police force did not alter him one bit." Mr Stanley died on July 5.
Yellow Advertiser Report 30 June 2011 – Tearoom on TV.
Geraldine Gull, owner of the Beehive Tearooms in Rochford.
A rochford businesswoman was left baffled after finding out her cafe was used in an international television advert. Geraldine Gull, who owns The Beehive Tearooms, in South Street, was stunned when the front of her business was used in McDonald’s ‘Great Tastes of America’ advert, to promote its New Yorker burger. The clip shows people eating at a restaurant while looking out of a window at the passing street, which is in fact Rochford. The production team also replaced the tearooms’ sign with ‘Bob’s Records’. Geraldine, who has run the business for 20 years, said: “As you can imagine, I was both stunned and confused. “Someone came in and said, ‘Did you see the cafe on television?’ so I looked on YouTube and was very surprised. “It’s a nice bit of advertising but it’s a shame they didn’t keep the name. “I think the situation is very funny and it has given customers something to chat about.” McDonalds also filmed in Great Wakering High Street and used St Nicholas Church as a backdrop. In this scene, a police officer attempts to get into a ‘monster truck’ while holding his meal. Jenny Martin, spokesperson for McDonald’s, said: “We can confirm that the filming that took place in Rochford last year was for a McDonald’s advert. “We decided to film there because we felt it provided the ideal authentic British backdrop to the ad."
Yellow Advertiser Report 30 June 2011 – Concerns over streetlight plan.
Concerns have been raised over Essex County Council’s plans to turn off 70 per cent of street lights to save £14million. The authority agreed to switch off most street lights across the county between midnight and 5am each night to cut carbon emissions by 8,000 tonnes a year over the next 13 years. After trials took place in Maldon and Uttlesford, a £6.52m contract has been awarded to Plextek Ltd to fit new sensors on the lights over the next two years. However, residents, businesses and councillors fear crime such as burglaries and assaults could increase in areas not yet trialled. Glen Illand, owner of 365 Security Systems, in Tudor Way, Hockley, said: “I know they are thinking of the county’s carbon footprint, but the streets will be in darkness. “I fear for the teenagers that go out at night and those who are coming home from functions or driving at those hours. “Security cameras rely on certain levels of light and would not function properly. “The project is not good for Essex.” Joyce Mason, 82, of Margraten Avenue, Canvey, said: “People go to functions that do not finish till midnight, so why not turn the lights off from 1am to 6am? “People will fall over the bad pavements around here in darkness. I think the times need to be changed.” Maldon and Uttlesford will be the first districts to switch off in August with other authorities facing changes before the New Year. High streets, major junctions and transport hubs will remain lit. Essex County Council claimed it would consult with district, borough and parish councils and the emergency services before deciding which lights to switch off and which to keep lit all night. Tracey Chapman, Essex County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “This decision represents a significant step towards part-night street lighting in Essex. “It is imperative we take action to reduce our carbon emissions and energy expenditure, and part-night lighting will make a major contribution towards achieving this.”
Russian representatives visited Hockley to see the grave of a world-renowned strongman. Hockley Parish Council greeted Dr Igor Khramov, president of the Eurasia charity, and Oleg Vasilyev, a foundation member from Moscow, on Friday. The visitors from the Russian city of Orenburg are launching a book based on the life of Alexander Zass, who is buried in the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul Church. Zass, known to many as the Great Samson ‘The World’s Strongest Man’, was a former president of Orenburg, who spent his retirement years in the village. Councillor Lesley Vingoe, who sits on Hockley Parish Council said: It was a fantastic day and a feather in Hockley’s cap. I went over to Orenburg in 2006 as a result of Dr Khramov asking us and this was a way to repay them. “This is the strongest man in the world. He was extremely famous and his ties with Hockley are very unique. I am proud to have been part of the celebrations.” The visitors met with Hockley Chamber of Commerce and students from the Greensward Academy, before lunch at Kilnwood House, in Station Approach, Rochford. Alexander Zass was born in Vilnus, Poland, before becoming a circus actor, professional wrestler and strongman. In 1914, he was taken prisoner by the Austrian forces while serving in the Russian Army during the First World War, but escaped. Zass, who died aged 74, possessed tremendous strength that allowed him to break chains, bend iron bars and even carry a horse on his shoulders. His best-known circus act was catching a 90kg cannon ball shot by a special cannon.
Echo Report 23 March 2011 – Residents vow to stop green belt homes
Fighting the plan – Melvyn and Joan Knight
Battle-hardened residents are steeling themselves for another fight to protect green belt land from development. People living near Christmas Tree Farm, Hawkwell, thought they had triumphed when a plan to build 330 homes on land off Rectory Road was thrown out by a Government inspector last year. However, developer David Wilson Homes is now preparing to launch a fresh bid, this time for half the number of homes originally planned. Richard Hill, of nearby Spencers, who formed the Christmas Tree Farm Development Action Group to fight the previous proposal, is determined to defeat the company again. He said: “I suppose we always suspected they would come back with another attempt, but my disappointment is I thought they would wait three or four years, not come back straight away. “The plans seem fairly basic at the moment and they’ve reduced it to 175 homes, but we will still fight this all the way. I believe we have a good chance of seeing this off.” Plans to build on the site were first pitched in 2009. Rochford District Council refused planning permission in December of that year, citing concerns about overdevelopment, loss of green belt and damage to the area’s character. David Wilson Homes appealed the decision, but the councillors’ decision was backed by the Planning Inspectorate after a public inquiry in April 2010. The developer has yet to submit a new planning application, but a feedback form sent to residents in the area shows it has almost halved the number of detached and semi-detached houses it wants to build. The reduction places it within the limits for green belt development set out by the council’s own core strategy – its blueprint for new homes in the district over the next 20 years. The strategy is currently under review by the Planning Inspectorate. Campaigner Melvyn Knight, 65, of Martins Walk, said: “It’s certainly worrying because the changes to the development might make it more acceptable to the council. “At the moment, there aren’t many details, so we will have to wait and see what happens.” Vic Leach, chairman of Hawkwell Parish Council, added: “The parish council encourages smaller developments to avoid putting strain on the road infrastructure and other services. “It is the scale and impact of this development which would be the problem.”
Echo Report 4 February 2011 – Victory for regulars in fight to keep landlords
Victory for commensense - Dave Wildish and Jim Coffey are glad plans to turn the pub into a sports bar have been scrapped after objections from regulars.
Customers at a popular pub raised a few celebratory pints after controversial plans to force out its landlords, and turn the place into a sports bar, were scrapped. Regulars at the Victory Inn, Ashingdon, mounted a campaign to save their local when owner Punch Taverns unveiled proposals to convert it to become part of the John Barras chain, with big television screens for sports. The move would have also meant bringing in a new general manager to replace landlords Peter and Janice Broadbent. However, the revamp has now been shelved after Punch bosses listened to the objections. Regular drinker Keith Turthill, 59, of Ashingdon Road, said: "It's fantastic news. "Nobody wanted Peter and Janice to go and I'm very pleased they'll be staying. They're what makes this place what it is - not a lick of paint or a big television screen." Dave Wildish, 62, of Wedgwood Way, added: "I'm .very pleased. I don't think a sports bar would have suited it anyway. "It should be about catering for the community, not making money for the fat cats who own these pubs." Although no date had been set for the revamp, Punch was expected to close the pub for refurbishment within the next few months. The John Barras chain, which describes itself as being in the "heart of the community", is characterised by its large television screens, music and games. The Broadbents have been landlords at the Victory Inn for more than 11 years and became known for spearheading several fundraising drives. These included campaigns which raised £3,430 for Help for Heroes and £1,895 for Macmillan Cancer Support. However, Punch wanted to move the couple on and bring in a new manager for the revamped pub. Conservative MP Mark Francois, who joined the customers' campaign, welcomed the news of a U.turn from the operators. He said: "I am pleased Punch have listened to their customers. It is good they are willing to take account of what people think." No one from Punch Taverns was available to comment.
Echo Report 20th January 2011 – Drinkers join forces to fight sports bar plans
Customers at a popular family pub are outraged at plans to make it part of a chain and force out its landlords. Regulars at the Victory Inn, Ashingdon, are prepared to fight to save their local and the jobs of Peter and Janice Broadbent. Pub owner Punch wants to shut the venue, in Ashingdon Road, and convert it to the John Barras chain, with big television screens for sports. The move would mean bringing in a new general manager. Regular drinker Kevin Roache, 48, said: “I don’t see how changing the pub will make any difference. “It’s a long way in either direction until you come to the next pub. They won’t attract any more customers by changing it. “It’s disgusting the way they have treated the landlords.” Although no date has been set for the revamp, Punch is expected to close the pub for refurbishment within the next few months. The John Barras chain, which describes itself as the “heart of the community”, is known for its large television screens, music and games. The new Victory Inn, at which the Broadbents have been landlords for more than 11 years, will also feature karaoke and poker nights. Russell Blackman, 40, drinks at the pub every day. He said: “It absolutely stinks. “The way they have been treated is shocking. I don’t think anybody would say the pub doesn’t need a lick of paint. “But why do they have to get rid of the landlords at the same time? “They are part of the community and they should stay.” Raymond Jarmain, 74, of Greensward Lane, Hockley, added: “I don’t see how sports are going to attract people. It is all about the food at a pub like this. “Peter and Janice have been very good. I’d be very sad to see them go.” Regulars plan to hold a crisis meeting at the pub on Saturday at 12.30pm to set out a battle plan. A spokeswoman for Punch said: “The Victory Inn has been earmarked to be transformed into a John Barras community local and will be a great place to socialise and be entertained any day of the week. “We would like to say thank you to Peter and Janice for managing the pub for 11 years and are working with them to find alternative roles within the Punch Pub Company estate.”
Our response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan 2
In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan 2 we have put together our thoughts to these proposals in line with their online numbering system:
1) We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some gradual improvements to the village centre. We can not support any of the five proposals but would like to see some of the improvements included within them.
2) We are not against studies but this is the second major study on this subject and each one adds cost to our council tax.
3) Producing a heavy weight document that prevented printing and general distribution and expecting the public to fill in a complicated online response for a second time is an unfair method of consultation. We believe the public now have consultation fatigue and will not respond in sufficient numbers.
4) One of the obvious locations for improvement is the Foundry Estate that is missing from the list.
5) Option 1. This appears to replace existing single story shops near the Factory Shop with single story shops. We believe a recent proposal to use the Factory Shop car park for a takeaway food outlet has already been turned down in the planning stage. We do not believe the parking proposals are practical and the width of Spa Road should not reduce with trees planted close to shops. We do not believe table top crossings are a good idea. They will certainly not solve the traffic issues.
6) Option 2. To just replace the Coop funeral parlour and not the other single story buildings in this are does not make sense. Additional offices are not required as there are empty units on the Foundry Estate. Existing shops should not be turned into homes. The proposed redevelopment of the existing library and health centre to provide a new combined community centre with library and health facilities should not be squeezed into the area allocated and should not include shops in this area. Consideration should be given to include and replace the Indian restaurant area and the shop opposite Walton & Stanton’s to bring the building line back from the road for Spa Junction improvements. This junction should be replaced with modern computer controlled traffic lights with additional lanes. The access to the car park should be taken from Woodlands Road. A new home on Spa Road, close to the train station is unnecessary. The creation of a new parking area on the south side of the train station, for weekday commuters is a good idea but we do not believe it will be used by weekend shoppers. The vehicular drop-off and pick-up points should not be in the car park but at the station. Maybe the seating area at the side of Kilnfield House could be utilized. We do not believe the parallel parking proposals are practical and the width of Spa Road should not reduce with trees planted close to shops. Potters parking should not be changed especially as parking for flats would be necessary. If a green link walk way was created through the churchyard a crossing should be provided to cross Southend Road at its end.
Option 2a. We do not like the look of the proposed new shops and flats. They look like a bland row of characterless council homes. The sorting office area should not be used unless a replacement is built first, as we should not loose jobs unnecessarily. If the sorting office area was used the Junction of Eldon Way and Spa Road should be widened with a roundabout and Eldon way should be used to access a new free shopping car park. This also appears to replace existing single story shops near the Factory Shop with single story shops. We believe a recent proposal to use the Factory Shop car park for a takeaway food outlet has already been turned down in the planning stage. Something should be included to replace the Foundry area. The area from Walton & Stanton’s to Harrison’s restaurant should also be replaced and additional parking provided.
7) Option 3. To replace the relatively modern building opposite Potters that appears to be in current use makes no sense. The proposed redevelopment of the existing library and health centre to provide a new combined community centre with library and health facilities should not be squeezed into the area allocated and should not include shops in this area. Consideration should be given to include and replace the Indian restaurant area and the shop opposite Walton & Stanton’s to bring the building line back from the road for Spa Junction improvements. The shops opposite Walton & Stanton’s should be replaced with homes not shops and should be accessed only from Woodlands Road. This junction should be replaced with modern computer controlled traffic lights with additional lanes. The access to the car park should only be taken from Woodlands Road. We cannot find the proposed replacement of poor quality building on Southend Road, with retail and homes to the rear. Additional offices are not required as there are empty units on the Foundry Estate. Existing shops should not be turned into homes. The replacement of the Coop is unnecessary. This also appears to replace existing single story shops near the Factory Shop with single story shops. We believe a recent proposal to use the Factory Shop car park for a takeaway food outlet has already been turned down in the planning stage. A new home on Spa Road, close to the train station is unnecessary. The creation of a new parking area on the south side of the train station, for weekday commuters is a good idea but we do not believe it will be used by weekend shoppers. The vehicular drop-off and pick-up points should not be in the car park but at the station. Maybe the seating area at the side of Kilnfield House could be utilized. We do not believe the parallel parking proposals are practical and the width of Spa Road should not reduce with trees planted close to shops. Spa Junction should be replaced with modern computer controlled traffic lights with additional lanes. Potters parking should not be changed especially as parking for flats would be necessary. If a green link walk way was created through the churchyard a crossing should be provided to cross Southend Road at its end. The proposed redevelopment of the existing library and health centre to provide a new combined community centre with library and health facilities should not be squeezed into the area allocated and should not include shops in this area. Consideration should be given to include and replace the Indian restaurant area and the shop opposite Walton & Stanton’s to bring the building line back from the road for Spa Junction improvements. The shops opposite Walton & Stanton’s should be replaced with homes not shops and should be accessed only from Woodlands Road.
Option 3a. The new housing is provided to the north of the railway line, along Plumberow Avenue is a good idea but it would increase the traffic at the junction with Greensward Lane. We believe the new northern entrance to the train station is also a good idea.
8) Transport Options. The proposed modified roundabout would improve the situation but from schemes we have experienced of shared junctions we believe they are dangerous and should not be considered at this busy intersection. Consideration should be given to include and replace the Indian restaurant area and the shop opposite Walton & Stanton’s to bring the building line back from the road for Spa Junction improvements. The shops opposite Walton & Stanton’s should be replaced with homes not shops and should be accessed only from Woodlands Road. This junction should be replaced with modern computer controlled traffic lights with additional lanes. The access to the Southend Road car park should only be taken from Woodlands Road. The creation of a new parking area on the south side of the train station, for weekday commuters is a good idea but we do not believe it will be used by weekend shoppers. The vehicular drop-off and pick-up points should not be in the car park but at the station. Maybe the seating area at the side of Kilnfield House could be utilized. We believe the new northern entrance to the train station is also a good idea. We do not believe the parallel parking proposals are practical and the width of Spa Road should not reduce with trees planted close to shops. We believe the new northern entrance to the train station is also a good idea. If the sorting office area was used the Junction of Eldon Way and Spa Road should be widened with a roundabout and Eldon way should be used to access a new free shopping car park.
9) Funding & Delivery. In the current financial climate we believe this kind of development will not happen. There seems be little demand for new shops and offices and even the demand for homes is hampered by the restrictions on mortgages. Any new developments would have to be carried out by a major developer who would need to pay for any infrastructure required.
10) It took one of our members over 6 hours to make my online response to this document. This is not a fair way for the public to respond especially as this is the second consultation on this subject. We believe the public now have consultation fatigue and will not respond in sufficient numbers to get a realistic opinion.
HPPG are a non-political and non profit making committee of residents of Hawkwell. Their principal task is to produce the Hawkwell Parish Plan which will detail the needs and wants of the residents of Hawkwell. The questionnaire to all residents of Hawkwell is now being finalised. It will be important for residents to complete and return the questionnaire and to have a voice in the community. The HPPG website has been up and running since late September 2010 address: www.hawkwellplan.org.uk Find out more about us there or use our contact email address: info@hawkwellplan.org.uk .
The Hawkwell Parish Plan Group invite you to join them on the second part of the Hawkwell Perimeter walk on Sunday 13 February 2011 at 10am from Magnolia Park Car Park. Please wear appropriate footwear for a walking distance of 5 miles. Join us and discover where the perimeter leads. Click on the link the for more details: www.hawkwellplan.org.uk .
Children’s Parties Try something different for your next birthday; we have a wide range of activities for you to choose from, suitable from 6 years old. Choose from bouncy castle, assault course, cork guns, pedal karts, climbing, crate stacking, archery, traversing wall. Also rifle shooting from age 8 plus and for the older age range 10 years plus, 5 different high ropes elements to choose from. All activities last one hour. Add approximately 30 minutes to your party time if you are booking party food. Our activity sessions are for groups of 8 or 12 depending on the activity. If you have more than this number please book two activities per hour. We take bookings Monday to Sunday 9am till 5pm. Please make sure that you have at least one adult to every 3 children for under 8s parties and one adult for every 6 children if it’s for over 8s. For £3.50 a head we provide a party box which contains A large sausage roll, a packet of crisps, box of raisins and a small cake. We cater for vegetarians also. The price per head includes a birthday cake and unlimited squash. Or you can bring your own food and hire a grass area, hall or marquee. Party bags can be provided at £2.50 per head. Activities available include: Climbing, archery, rifle shooting, pedal karts, cork guns, traversing wall, assault course, bouncy castle, pole joust, the leap of faith, crate stacking, high ropes traversing element, high all aboard and Jacobs ladder. Belchamps Scout Centre, Holyoak Lane, Hawkwell, SS5 4JD. Tel: 01702 562690 Email: info@belchamps.co.uk Website: www.belchamps.co.uk .
The Hawkwell Residents Association has discussed the ‘Abolition of Regional Strategies’ and 'Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing' and we wish to make the following points:
* We are pleased that the Abolition of Regional Strategies has been proposed and that decisions for local planning will be made locally.
* We are not sure that the proposal to exclude residential gardens from the definition of previously developed land is a good idea. We believe that decisions should be made on the individual circumstances in the area proposed and local interested parties should be consulted and involved with any decision making.
* We believe that the deletion of the minimum density of 30 dwellings per hectare is a good idea and again decisions should involve local interested parties.
We would also like to make the following points on the Rochford District Council’s current Core Strategy:
* Any future consultation should not be made using a heavy weight document that prevents printing and general distribution.
* Any future plans should not be in one location which will change the nature of the village. We believe it would be better to spread them throughout the Hawkwell area. Consideration should be given to the proximity of shops and schools as due to the lack of public transport additional car usage would result.
* That comprehensive consultation should take place with ECC, other district councils, local parish / town councils, residents associations and other interested parties in and around our district.
* Large numbers of additional homes will put an enormous strain on the infrastructure of our area, particularly the road system, which should be addressed in any future proposals.
* There should be minimal loss of Green Belt in our area, which would change our village into a town.
* New homes will generate additional vehicles on the roads from the building work, the additional residents, their delivery services and visitors and the proposed airport expansion traffic. There will also be additional demand on our doctors and dentists, additional demand on schools and social services and additional demand on gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage.
* The evening number bus 8 service should be resumed.
* Moving Eldon Way and the Foundry Estate to a green belt site at the airport area will increase mileage for employees and the lack of public transport will limit employment to car users. We believe cycling would be a poor and unrealistic substitute.
* ECC have stated that the B1013 is now running at 72% capacity. The current Core Strategy proposal would bring the traffic to an unbearable level. No details and estimated costs are given of the many road improvement we believe would be necessary as listed below.
* This area is enclosed by the River Crouch, the sea and the Thames and is only properly accessed from the west. For this reason we believe the sensible place to locate additional homes would be in the western part of Rochford district.
* We believe that no major infrastructure improvements have been carried out in the Hawkwell area for more than 30 years.
We also believe that the following infrastructure improvements in the Hawkwell / Hockley area, that are not included in the current Core Strategy document, should be addressed before any additional homes are built:
1. Replacement of Rectory Road Railway Bridge for two-way traffic.
2. Computer controlled traffic lights at the Rectory Road / Hall Road junction.
3. Upgrade Rectory Road and widen road and footpath at the Christmas Tree Farm area.
4. Upgrade the B1013 Hall Road and provide missing and upgrade existing pavements.
3. Proper main road street lighting for the B1013 Hall Road and B1013 Rayleigh Road.
6. A cycle path route from Rochford through Hockley to Rayleigh.
7. A new pelican crossing in B1013 Main Road near Tudor Way.
8. Return to two buses an hour in both directions for the 7 and 8 services between Southend and Rayleigh and the return of the 8 evening bus service.
9. Improvements to all services including gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage.
10. Increase capacity at all the local Schools in the area.
11. Increase capacity at all the local Doctors and Dentists and hospital services in the area.
12. Increase ambulance, fire and police emergency services.
13. Provide and run a youth club in the Hawkwell area.
14. To provide and run allotments in the Hawkwell area.
15. To extend the existing Cherry Orchard Park to Mount Bovers Lane and Hockley Woods.
16. Replace the existing Hockley Spa roundabout with a wider traffic light junction complete with pedestrian cross lights.
17. Install a double mini roundabout at Station Road and Station Approach junction with Spa Road for Hockley Station.
18. Install a mini roundabout on the B1013 at Folly Lane.
19. Make up / Upgrade Plumberow Avenue through to Lower Road in Hockley complete with pavements, main road street lighting and a mini roundabout at the Lower Road junction.
20. Upgrade Watery Lane / Beeches Road in Hullbridge from Lower Road complete with pavements, main road street lighting and a mini roundabout at the Lower Road junction.
Echo Report 16th April 2010 – Council earmarks two traveller sites in Hockley
Emotions were running high at a public meeting to discuss travellers’ sites in Hockley. More than 200 people turned up to a meeting at Greensward Academy, to talk about Rochford District Council’s plans for the sites. The council has to provide 18 travellers pitches across the district. Two sites in Hockley – Plumberow Avenue and New Park Road – were put forward as being suitable. Keith Hudson, councillor responsible for planning said: “The council removed two illegal sites last year, one in Plumberow Avenue and one in Trenders Avenue. “Common sense has to come into it somewhere. Travellers do a lot of travelling. If they choose to be in our area, they need to be in a location that is accessible to the main hub of the highways. I don’t think you could say Hockley is in the main hub.” One Hockley resident said at the meeting: “The councillor made reference to Plumberow Avenue. It seems ridiculous to me the council spent time and money to get travellers off that site, and now it’s being considered as a travellers’ site. It seems to me it is a case of the right and left hand not knowing what they are doing. “On one hand you talk about options. and on the other you say it has come down from above and it is mandatory.” The resident also asked what was meant by a “pitch”. Planning policy team leader, Sam Hollingsworth, replied one pitch meant two caravans. He added: “It is normally one pitch per family. “The Plumberow site was formally submitted to us and asked to be considered. We can’t simply ignore it because of the past history.” All representatives from the council urged members of the audience to write in with their comments and suggestions. The deadline for feedback on the consultation is April 30. For more information, to view options for both documents and to submit your comments, go to www.rochford.gov.uk Paper copies of the documents are also available to view at Rochford Council Offices, Rayleigh Civic Suite, and in all libraries within the district. Alternatively, residents can contact planning policy on 01702 318191.
Echo Report 31st March 2010 – Police get keys to town office
A Police office has opened in Hockley to help local bobbies get out on the beat. Officers will use the building opposite Somerfield, in Spa Road, as a place to set off on regular circuits of the town. It will not have a front desk for members of the public to report incidents to the police. However, it will make it easier for the Hockley Neighbourhood Policing team to hold private meetings and give it a convenient base in the town it serves. The premises is owned by local company Wells Legal Solicitors and Wells Legal Homes, which has handed the police a set of keys. The aim is to boost the police’s presence in the town and have a positive knock-on effect for businesses and residents. Senior partner at the firm, Andrew Wells, said: “We welcome this strategy along side our other community initiatives, such as school visits, free seminars and legal surgeries. “Other local residents and traders should also benefit from the security which comes from an enhanced police presence.” Jeff Stanton, chairman of Hockley Chamber of Commerce, said: “There’s no down-side to it at all. “It’s a win-win situation, so it’s perfect.”
Echo Report 5th March 2010 – Police warn drivers to keep off the footpath
Police have sent out 31 warning letters to motorists who block the pavements in Hockley. Officers have been monitoring the problem in the Plumberow, Marylands, and Broadlands estates where it has become a real problem for residents. The issue was raised at a Hockley Neighbourhood Action Panel. The letters are the first step, but motorists who do not heed the warning could face a £30 fixed penalty notice. PC Steve Joynes, neighbourhood specialist officer for Hockley, said: “I understand motorists try to keep the road clear for others by parking on the footpath, but this causes obstruction for pedestrians and damage which needs to be repaired at the taxpayers’ expense.” He is appealing to motorists to be more considerate around Hockley so the police do not have to resort to issuing penalty notices. Keith Hudson, Rochford councillor for planning and transportation, said: “Parking on pavements is abhorrent. It blocks the way for people using mobility scooters and mums pushing prams, and causes issues for people with sight problems.” Mr Hudson said although the local authority can only act when people contravene traffic regulation orders, such as parking on double yellow lines, they have no powers to deal with obstruction of footpaths. He said: “I’m pleased the police are addressing this problem because it’s a major problem, not just in Hockley, but in most places.”
Echo Report 13th February 2010 – Mark Francois criticises plan for homes in Hawkwell
A Tory MP has said plans to build 300 homes in Hawkwell is like trying to “cram a quart into a pint pot”. Rayleigh MP Mark Francois has written to the chief executive of the Planning Inspectorate to list his objection to the proposals from David Wilson Homes to build more than 300 houses at Christmas tree farm. The application was refused by Rochford councillors and it is now in the process of going to the Government inspector for appeal. Hawkwell Parish Council and 192 members of the public objected, and a 250-signature petition was handed in to the council. The scheme was refused by the council’s development control committee as overdevelopment of the green belt site and conflicted with the council’s development plan. Mr Francois also raised his concerns about the amount of traffic and said the development was not in keeping with the area. He said: “I have received a number of letters and e-mails from my constituents who are opposed to this application. I, too, am concerned this represents overdevelopment in Hawkwell. There simply is not the infrastructure to cope with a development of this scale and I believe it is a bit like trying to ‘cram a quart into a pint pot’. I hope the inspector may yet decide to turn down the appeal.” The appeal is set to be heard this spring but a date has not yet been set.
If any one has an old car that they would like to dispose of without cost, Hawkwell Fire Station needs it to practice cutting techniques on. Please note that it is essential you have the logbook of any vehicle being donated. To donate your vehicles please contact Dan Clary at Hawkwell Fire Station in Main Road.
If you home was built in the past 20 years or so, it has probably got a soakaway in the garden for the roof rain water. Did you know that you can now save around £35 per year from you sewerage charge by informing Anglian Water? They will back date the reduction on your bill but only for the tax year to April 2009. To save around £35 for this tax year and all future tax years just freephone Anglian Water on 0800 91 222 91 with your request.
Our objections to Southend Borough Council Airport Planning Application Reference 09/01960/FULM
We would like to object on the following grounds:
Core Strategy - Any proposals should take into account the Rochford and Southend Core Strategies when and if they get government approvals. They should also take into account public opinion which appears to be being ignored at the moment.
Green Belt - We are totally opposed to the destruction of green belt land and areas that are prime agricultural land and should be retained as such. Using this land to provide space for the runway extension and new industrial sites on the basis of support for the development of an airport that will reduce the quality of life of our residents is unacceptable.
B1013 Road - We accept that the airport as proposed in the JAAP will have an impact on traffic, but is totally devoid of any concrete proposals to minimise or even limit the additional traffic that must arise from the proposals in particular along the B1013. In particular the airport is not well served by public transport, so workers will “have to take to their cars”. There will also be additional road traffic necessary to service the maintenance and servicing side of the airport. They will need parts etc and the majority of these will no doubt come by road. We would like to a written commitment to improve the B1013 road through Hawkwell and Hockley.
Pollution - We are aware that flight paths, in certain circumstances, are over Hawkwell and therefore we are being subjected to additional noise and air pollution above the current levels, we should surely be looking to reduce current levels further not approving increases which will surely happen. We believe that the routing of aircraft on both take-off and landing could reduce noise and environmental impact to our area.
Night Flights - We understand that passenger flights are to be allowed to fly for over 80% of the day. We also understand that freight flights will be in addition to this, so flights may be operating for up to 24 hours per day. We find this as unacceptable and consider there must be a longer “window” when no flights are allowed. In our opinion a TOTAL ban on all night flights between 22:00 - 07:00 should be imposed.
We would like to have written restrictions on the following:
* Noise from engine testing, especially out of the working week - Monday to Friday. * Pollution levels from aircraft. * Noise levels from aircraft. * Night flights.
Our objections to RDC against the David Wilson Homes Planning Application 09/00529/OUT
The Hawkwell Residents Association has had many objections to the proposed David Wilson Homes Planning Application 09/00529/OUT. We regard the Christmas Tree Farm area as totally unsuitable for the 300 plus homes proposed in the application for the following reasons:
· The proposed additional lane added to Rectory Road at the mini-roundabout would not be sufficient. Traffic currently tails back at this roundabout at peak times in Rectory Road and Hall Road and this will only get worse if development at the airport expansion goes ahead. · We would like to see no new homes built on green belt land in our area but access to this area is poorly served by a traffic light controlled single lane at the railway bridge which will be turned into a continuous traffic jam if these homes and the homes proposed for the Brays Lane area are built. · The stated government policy of using 60% brown field sites first before green field seems to have been reversed, with many potential sites for building being of a green field nature. · If the 300 plus homes were to be located in one place it will change the nature of the village. We believe it would be better to spread them throughout the Hawkwell area. Consideration should be given to the proximity of shops and schools as due to the lack of public transport additional car usage would result. · That comprehensive consultation has not taken place with ECC, other district councils, local parish / town councils, residents associations and other interested parties in and around our district. · The additional homes will put an enormous strain on the infrastructure of our area, particularly the road system. · Loss of Green Belt in our area, which would change our village into a town. · Additional vehicles on the roads from the building of the new homes, the additional residents, their delivery services and visitors and the proposed airport expansion traffic. · Additional demand on our doctors and dentists. · Additional demand on schools and social services. · The number 7 and 8 bus has now been reduced to mainly one bus an hour and there is now no evening number 8 service through this area. · Additional demand on gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage. · ECC have stated that the B1013 is now running at 72% capacity. The Core Strategy proposal would bring the traffic to an unbearable level. No details and estimated costs are given of the many road improvement we believe would be necessary as listed below. · This area is enclosed by the River Crouch, the sea and the Thames and is only properly accessed from the west. For this reason we believe the sensible place to locate additional homes would be in the western part of Rochford district. · We believe that no major infrastructure improvements have been carried out in the Hawkwell area for more than 30 years. Even if the current Core Strategy Submission document figure of 175 new homes for Hawkwell were proposed for the Rectory Road area, we believe a development of this proportion would require the following:
1. Upgrade Rectory Road and widen road and footpath at the Christmas Tree Farm area. 2. Replace traffic light controlled single lane at the railway bridge with a wider bridge. 3. Upgrade the B1013 Hall Road and provide missing and upgrade existing pavements. 4. Proper main road street lighting for the B1013 Hall Road. 5. A cycle path route from Rochford through Hockley to Rayleigh. 6. Return to two buses an hour in both directions for the 7 and 8 services between Southend and Rayleigh and the return of the 8 evening bus service. 7. Improvements to all services including gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage. 8. Increase capacity at all the local Schools in the area. 9. Increase capacity at all the local Doctors and Dentists and hospital services in the area. 10. Increase ambulance, fire and police emergency services. 11. Provide and run a youth club in the Hawkwell area. 12. To provide and run allotments in the Hawkwell area.
Our Response to the RDC Core Strategy Submission document
The Hawkwell Residents Association has discussed the RDC Core Strategy Submission document and wishes to object on the grounds of unsoundness or legally non compliant due to the following points:
· Producing a heavy weight document that prevented printing and general distribution was an unfair method of consultation. · This document does not fully take into consideration the impact of the JAAP report and the reports for the proposed redevelopment of Hockley, Rochford and Rayleigh. · The stated government policy of using 60% brown field sites first before green field seems to have been reversed, with many potential sites for building being of a green field nature. · If the 175 homes were to be located in one place it will change the nature of the village. We believe it would be better to spread them throughout the Hawkwell area. Consideration should be given to the proximity of shops and schools as due to the lack of public transport additional car usage would result. · That comprehensive consultation has not taken place with ECC, other district councils, local parish / town councils, residents associations and other interested parties in and around our district. · The additional homes will put an enormous strain on the infrastructure of our area, particularly the road system, which has not been addressed in the document. · Loss of Green Belt in our area, which would change our village into a town. · Additional vehicles on the roads from the building of the new homes, the additional residents, their delivery services and visitors and the proposed airport expansion traffic. · Additional demand on our doctors and dentists. · Additional demand on schools and social services. · The number 7 and 8 bus has now been reduced to mainly one bus an hour and there is now no evening number 8 service. · Additional demand on gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage. · Moving Eldon Way and the Foundry Estate to a green belt site at the airport area will increase mileage for employees and the lack of public transport will limit employment to car users. We believe cycling would be a poor and unrealistic substitute. · ECC have stated that the B1013 is now running at 72% capacity. The Core Strategy proposal would bring the traffic to an unbearable level. No details and estimated costs are given of the many road improvement we believe would be necessary as listed below. · This area is enclosed by the River Crouch, the sea and the Thames and is only properly accessed from the west. For this reason we believe the sensible place to locate additional homes would be in the western part of Rochford district. · We believe that no major infrastructure improvements have been carried out in the Hawkwell area for more than 30 years. We also believe that the following infrastructure improvements in the Hawkwell / Hockley area, that are not included in the Core Strategy document, should be addressed before any additional homes are built:
1. Replacement of Rectory Road Railway Bridge for two-way traffic. 2. Computer controlled traffic lights at the Rectory Road / Hall Road junction. 3. Upgrade Rectory Road and widen road and footpath at the Christmas Tree Farm area. 4. Upgrade the B1013 Hall Road and provide missing and upgrade existing pavements. 5. Proper main road street lighting for the B1013 Hall Road and B1013 Rayleigh Road. 6. A cycle path route from Rochford through Hockley to Rayleigh. 7. A new pelican crossing in B1013 Main Road near Tudor Way. 8. Return to two buses an hour in both directions for the 7 and 8 services between Southend and Rayleigh and the return of the 8 evening bus service. 9. Improvements to all services including gas, electric, telephone, water, sewers and surface / storm water drainage. 10. Increase capacity at all the local Schools in the area. 11. Increase capacity at all the local Doctors and Dentists and hospital services in the area. 12. Increase ambulance, fire and police emergency services. 13. Provide and run a youth club in the Hawkwell area. 14. To provide and run allotments in the Hawkwell area. 15. To extend the existing Cherry Orchard Park to Mount Bovers Lane and Hockley Woods. 16. Replace the existing Hockley Spa roundabout with a wider traffic light junction complete with pedestrian cross lights. 17. Install a double mini roundabout at Station Road and Station Approach junction with Spa Road for Hockley Station. 18. Install a mini roundabout on the B1013 at Folly Lane. 19. Make up / Upgrade Plumberow Avenue through to Lower Road in Hockley complete with pavements, main road street lighting and a mini roundabout at the Lower Road junction. 20. Upgrade Watery Lane / Beeches Road in Hullbridge from Lower Road complete with pavements, main road street lighting and a mini roundabout at the Lower Road junction.
In response to the RDC Hockley Area Action Plan we have put together our initial thoughts. We would like to retain the village feel but would also like to see some of the following gradual improvements to the village centre:
. The current shops remaining mainly as they are with permitted redevelopment where and when required. We do not believe a new and larger supermarket is necessary as it could lead to the closure of even more shops. . Additional free village centre parking is required, maybe by purchasing the vacant Aldays area and building a free public car park on this site. . Eldon Way to remain mainly commercial, light industrial and leisure. Moving Eldon Way businesses to an expanded Southend Airport commercial area off Cherry Orchard Way would be very expensive and create a lot of additional mileage for employees. There is also currently no public transport to this area. Getting additional public transport is not an easy thing as we have discovered with the number 8 evening service. Some redevelopment of the Eldon Estate with shops and flats could be built on the south side backing on to the current shops. This could be in a traffic free area with road access from the front part of Eldon Way. Eldon Way may require a traffic light junction with Spa Road. . We are not sure that locating a large clinic in Eldon Way or at the Spa Junction is appropriate as this could generate a large volume of traffic and parking in the centre of the village. If one of these locations is chosen sufficient free parking should be provided. . We do not believe relocating the sorting office is necessary unless the Royal Mail wants to move inside the Eldon Way commercial area. We are concerned that forcing the sorting office to relocate could lead to its closure. If they did want to relocate, the current site would be a good location for additional shops, flats and parking. . If the current run down Foundry Estate wanted to relocate into upgraded units in Eldon Way it could be replaced with housing and flats in keeping with those already in this area. There would also be the future possibility to expand this area into the adjacent south east corner of Eldon Way without the need for access from Eldon Way. . The entrance / exit areas north and south of the station need improving with better drop off, turn round, pedestrian paving, parking and taxi rank facilities. . The junction of Station Approach and Station Road with Spa Road needs Addressing. We suggest a double mini roundabout may work. . The Spa mini roundabout junction needs replacing. Although traffic lights were apparently used here over 40 years ago, traffic lights in use over 40 years ago would not compare with the traffic light computer controlled technology of today. One of the failings with this mini roundabout is that traffic coming from Spa Road is able to hold up the B1013 trough traffic from Rayleigh. This could be carefully controlled with modern traffic lights and they would have the added advantage of better pedestrian crossing. Also the junction needs to be widened out with an additional dedicated lane for traffic travelling from the west into Spa Road. We do not believe stopping traffic entering Woodland Road would be beneficial as this would make the already poor situation at the Main Road / Hockley Rise junction even worse. . The proposed green walk through the church ground is a good idea if practical but it does not line up with the pedestrian crossing that is at present near the Spa Junction. To make this work the crossing would need to be moved to the car park / library area. . Although many of the shops on Main Road at the west entrance to the village are empty, this location still suffers from a severe shortage of parking and unloading facilities. This may be a good opportunity to purchase the disused wood yard area and building a free public car park on this site.
Any Southend Airport proposals should take into account the Rochford Core Strategy – we have not seen the final Rochford Core strategy and therefore we cannot weigh the pros and cons and develop a comprehensive response to you. A cynical view of this process would be that this proposal is going ahead no matter what the public say as it does not seek agreement only gives an opportunity to comment with no assurance that our views will be taken on board or at least ruled out by cogent argument. We are not convinced that there is any desire to limit the number of night flights. We are aware that flight paths, in certain circumstances, are over Hawkwell and therefore we are being subjected to additional noise and air pollution above the current levels, we should surely be looking to reduce current levels further not approving increases which will surely happen.
We accept that the airport as proposed in the JAAP will have an impact on traffic, but is totally devoid of any concrete proposals to minimise or even limit the additional traffic that must arise from the proposals. It is very worrying that this major issue is limited to a small paragraph in the report and is without any real proposals that would have impact on traffic volumes, in particular along the B1013. In particular the airport is not well served by public transport, so workers will “have to take to their cars”
We are totally opposed to the destruction of green belt land and areas that are prime agricultural land and should be retained as such. Using this land to provide space for new industrial sites on the basis of support for the development of an airport that will reduce the quality of life of our residents is unacceptable. So far this has not had any real environmental impact study published in an accessible format for resident to understand the effects of an airport operating at the proposed levels will be. If a brown filed site was to be used it would be of less impact to the countryside.
Our main concerns are the lack of real data in the public domain to enable us the public to have a reasoned discussion over the proposals put forward. We understand that passenger flights are to be allowed to fly for over 80% of the day. We understand also that freight flights will be in addition to this, so flights may be operating for up to 24 hours per day. We find this as unacceptable and consider there must be a longer “window” when no flights are allowed. In our opinion a TOTAL ban on all night flights between 22:00 - 07:00 should be imposed. We note that the routing of aircraft on both take-off and landing should be so organised to reduce noise and environmental impact. We note that there is no comment on the additional road traffic necessary to service the maintenance and servicing side of the airport. They will need parts etc and the majority of these will no doubt come by road.
We would like to have written restrictions on the following:
. Noise from engine testing, especially out of the working week - Monday to Friday. . Pollution levels from aircraft . Noise levels from aircraft
Are you unable to access conventional transport due to either having restricted mobility, temporarily unable to access public transport, living in an area not served by public transport or where your transport needs are not met by existing timetables. If you are a permanent resident of the our area then Wyvern Community Transport for Rochford District can help you. The scheme utilises drivers and the vehicles provided to meet the special transport needs of residents of Rochford District. To book the service phone 01702 544551 between 9.15am & 2.30pm (Mon - Thur) 9.15am & 12.00 (Fri). Email: manager@wyvernct.co.uk A yearly membership fee of £5 is payable and £2.50 per journey up to 4 miles. For journeys over 4 miles, 50p per mile is charged. See: http://www.rravs.org.uk/transport.html .
Britka Karate is a professional karate club based in the Southend on Sea area. They run classes in Wado Ryu Karate for children from ages 5 up to adults. They have been running karate classes successfully since 1991 and have classes for beginners and advanced students in the Leigh, Hadleigh, Hawkwell and Shoebury areas. Chief Instructor of Britka karate is Sensei Russell Garrard 4th Dan. For their website click on: Britka Karate
Weather permitting, free observing session at the Astronomy Resource Centre, Main Road, Hawkwell from 9pm. Phone Royston Dean on 01702 206244. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ashlea Simpson a Hawkwell lady living in the USA – Please see 'Good News' and 2011 update below
Extracts from three emails we have received from Ashlea Simpson a Hawkwell lady living in Idaho USA. Please Contact Us if you have any information that may help her:
(1) I am wondering whether you know how I might find out if my great-grandmother is buried at Hawkwell Church. She was 84, I think, and her name was Sara Ann Simpson (or Sarah Anne possibly). I used to stay with her at her home in Rochford during the 40's, and I remember going to see her on her deathbed (I lived in Brighton then). I believe I was 7 years old when she died, so that would have been in 1946+/-. I have a photograph of her standing by the front gate with the name of her home on the gate "ASH LEA". If I were in England I could perhaps research this myself but I moved to the US in 1958. I visited Rochford in 1978 and was floored by the changes - houses after houses, so many streetlights, etc. but her home was still standing then, as were the ones on either side. Thank you for any information you may have to help me in finding her final resting place. Ashlea
(2) I believe my great-grandmother is not buried in the little church at Rochford (built, I believe, by King Canute of the Danes), which was across from the dirt road where she used to live (with the woods at the other end). Her home had the name ASH LEA on the front gate. Like a bungalow with a large front porch and just past her home, right next door, was a brick two-storey house. They were both still standing in the late 1970's. And I'm not certain whether her first name was Sara or Sarah and her middle name Ann or Anne. I'm trying to remember her husband's name and it may have been Albert. Where that dirt road met the main road (by a pub across from a farm and the "Canute" church, we would turn right onto the main road by the newsagent/tobacconist's shop and the vicarage on the other side of the main road, and walk quite a way and then turn right again down a road to another churchyard - possibly Hawkwell Church? This is going back 60+ years so I don't recall the names of the roads, unfortunately. I will try to dig out some more information but not sure of my chances. I think that buried somewhere here I may still have an Easter postcard mailed from my grandmother to my great-grandmother which may give a clue as to her address. Ashlea
(3) I have now found out my great-grandmother's husband's name was Christopher (not Albert). Perhaps he is buried in the same churchyard as she is. I unearthed a letter from my mother dated June 21, 1982, with lots of family info but nothing re the correct spelling of my great-grandmother's first two names. Ashlea
Good News
One of our local residents has now located Ashlea's great-grandmother's grave in Saint Mary's Churchyard in Hawkwell after reading our news item. From a list of graves we found that three Simpson are buried there. Sarah Ann Simpson died age 86 in 1947 is in grave 1149, John Thomas Simpson died age 53 in 2000 is in grave 2023 and Christopher Thomas Simpson died age 70 in 1925 is in grave 699 (U/K). We sent Ashlea some photos of the churchyard and Sarah's and John's graves. Unfortunately Sarah's husband Christopher's grave is unknown (U/K), which means it is in the graveyard but as it is unmarked (no grave stone) they cannot find it. As John has the middle name Thomas I believe he may be a relative and as he died age only 53 in year 2000 there are probably more relatives living in the Rochford area. If you have any information for Ashlea please let us know via Contact Us. I have included extracts from Ashlea's emails of thanks below:
This is a wonderful surprise. Only yesterday I was wondering if any records had been found about my great-grandmother and I also came across our previous emails. It's sad that I had no knowledge of John Thomas Simpson as he died so recently and it would have been wonderful if I'd had the opportunity to meet him; he was born only 8 years after I was. I have no idea whose son he was, which is a shame. Thank you so very, very much for including my inquiry in your news item, and please do convey to the resident who took the time to locate these graves my very deepest gratitude. That was an extremely generous thing for them to do for a total stranger. I have looked at all the wonderful photos you have been so very kind to send me. I want to thank you or whoever took all these photos for me it was so very, very kind. What a beautiful church - makes me so homesick. I do remember going to visit the grave with my grandmother some short time after my great-grandmother was buried there. I will treasure all of these and, of course, make prints of them. Please be sure to thank everyone involved, including yourself, for finding out all this information and going the extra mile for me. This has been like a journey back to a gentler time. Ashlea
2011 Update
Extracts from four emails we have just received from Ashlea Simpson. Please Contact Us if you have any more information for her:
1) I am filled with guilt to bother you again, truly, but am wondering whether any of those churchyard records mentioned the home address of my great-grandparents Sarah Ann Simpson and Christopher Thomas Simpson. For the life of me I can't remember the name of their road. It was a dirt road with woods at one end and a main road at the other where, on the left, there was a pub and across from that there was an empty farm. Between my great-grandparents' road and the pub there was an identical dirt road also ending at the woods at the far end. I had friends there by the last name of French. I do recall during the war a fair was held over by the farm in the summertime and I recall hearing its loud music playing 'You Are My Sunshine'. Also across the main road was a newsagents / sweet shop / tobacconists and a bit further down to the right a stone wall which I believe bordered a vicarage. I would love to find their road / location on a map but am unable to. If you can't find any address records, never mind - I just thought it was worth a shot. Ashlea
2) I had thought maybe there was a possibility of written records somewhere in the church or town as to the addresses of the deceased, but maybe not. For some reason Albert Road is in my "mind" but it could be meaningless. I think that old, old church in Rochford near the farm and across from the pub might have been St. Andrew's? Not sure. Don't know the name of the pub or the farm - but I do remember climbing over the stile at the farm and walking around in the fields. Have been staring at Rochford maps till I'm cross-eyed but I think possibly those two dirt roads may now be long gone. They were there in the late 70s along with all the homes still, but I think it had been paved. Ashlea
3) Thank you so much for this information. Yes, I think it must have been Albert Road and, looking at the maps I have found online, I could see that the roads in that area were "unmade" and the community mostly rebuilt, I guess. That must have started shortly after my very brief visit in the mid-seventies when my great-grandmother's bungalow was still standing, as well as the homes on either side. At that time, I didn't bother looking for the name of the road because I knew where I was going. Trying to recall images in ones mind from 65 years ago, though, isn't a piece of cake exactly. So it probably was The Victory pub although I don't remember it as having so many windows in front in the 1940's. But I could be wrong easily and definitely the old church across the road from the pub I used to see was built by King Canute of the Danes - I do remember that as well as going inside the church many times in the 1940's as a young child wandering around the churchyard and the farm nearby - so it has to be St. Andrew's. Don't know if the empty farm with the stiles is still there, highly doubt it. It is very kind of St Mary's Church to send what information they could find including the Burial Registration of my great-grandmother. In view of the limited info kept back in those days, I'm sure no address would have been entered for Sarah's husband, Christopher Thomas Simpson, when he was buried in 1925, either. So I will try to find out how, online, I can get in touch with the Census Bureau or whatever it's called in England. Way back in time I believe most such records were at Somerset House but I'm sure that set-up is long since changed. Ashlea
4) That's terrific news I'm truly glad the Victory won't be converted into just another run-of-the-mill and meaningless blob of concrete with its only atmosphere being a screening room. Long live the Victory! And I'm really happy for the landlords. It's shameful how they were going to be cast aside - just as the huge TV screen will one day be for the latest fad. Ashlea
Extracts from an email to Ashlea from Pat a Hawkwell resident:
I have found on a site the following and wondered if sarah's name was ingram before marriage, and if they had a son called Joseph,who married a Lilian, who had a son called Stanley who married a Winifred if so, they have a family tree on ancestry going back to 1806 to Thomas and Charlotte. I know through my own family tree searching it is hard to match the people as there seems to be lots with the same name, if these are your relatives, i'll look at it again for you and send you more info. I also found Christopher Thomas Simpson of Mayblossom Ashingdon near Rochford died 15/12/1925 probate London 31 March to Sarah Ann widow effects £403 4s 10d could be the house was called Mayblossom? I hope you didn't mind me emailing you good luck in your search. Pat
Extract from Ashlea's reply:
Of course I don't mind you emailing me. Wow what a surprise ! Thank you so very, very much, Pat. Actually, the name on the gate of my great-grandparents' place was Ash Lea but, yes, Mayblossom certainly rings a loud bell. It may have been the name of an attached property or, as you say, another place where they lived, such as Ashingdon. Perhaps Sarah Ann moved to Ash Lea in Rochford after her husband, Christopher Thomas died in 1925. Yes, Sarah's maiden name was Ingram or Ingraham. Yes, they had a son Joseph - I loved him so very much, my grandmother's younger brother. Joe is the only one of her siblings I met though she had several. Her name was Phoebe Frances Simpson and she married George Wood. Joe and Aunt Lil (she was deaf) lived in Dagenham when I knew them (he worked at Ford) and they had a son, young Joe, who died in the war, a sailor I believe. Also I met Stanley, their second son, a really nice young man, so friendly. Also they had two daughters, Doreen and Olive, and another son, Gerald. I knew and loved them all so very much!!! How odd, even to this day, once in a while I dream I am back in their house - weird, huh? Especially if you bear in mind I left England back in 1958. There was a well in the back garden of Ash Lea as well as a miniature house I used to go inside at the bottom of the garden. Ashlea
By David Blackwood our bee keeping committee member.
I have been asked to write something for the Hawkwell Residents Association website about bees. It is thought that I ought to know something about them as I have been keeping honeybees for many years and I am the honorary secretary of the Southend-on-Sea and District division of the Essex Beekeepers Association. Of course this is such a large subject that no one knows everything there is to know about bees.
By the time you read this Newsletter the beekeeping season will be practically over. All species of bees will have made their preparations for the coming winter. Yes I say species, because there are some approximately 230 different species and sub-species of bees in Britain. Ranging in size from very small 3-4mm solitary bees to the largest of queen bumblebees of nearly 2 inches (50cm).
The majority of bees that you will see in your garden are the bumblebees. These are round, furry insects that vary in size and colouration. A young mated queen comes out of hibernation from a hole in the soil in late January or early February, and this depends on the actual species of bumblebee and the weather. She looks around for a place to make her nest and as she is not capable of collecting nesting material herself like a bird does, so she looks elsewhere. Often she will choose a compost heap, a discarded bird’s nest or an old mouse’s nest, somewhere nice and cosy. She goes foraging to collect nectar and pollen for her own consumption and to take back to the nest. In the nest she constructs a heap of mixed pollen and nectar and lays eggs on it. This she covers with wax from her wax glands and with wax she also constructs a honey pot in which she stores nectar for a rainy day when she cannot get out to forage. After between 4-6 days the eggs hatch into larvae and they eat the food that mother has been placed underneath them. After another period during which they grow by shedding their ‘skin’ several times they spin a substantial cocoon of silk in an upright position. After about two weeks the adult workers begin to cut their way out of their cocoons using their mandibles. According to one source of information it takes about 5 weeks from an egg being laid to the emergence of an adult bumblebee from the pupal cocoon. Now the solitary existence of the queen is at an end and she has help with foraging and the looking after other larvae.
The colony develops with the queen foraging less as there are daughters to do this work Some species can build up to about 100 workers all working for the good of the colony. Later in the year eggs are laid that develop into males and future virgin queens. The males when they emerge from their cocoons spend about four days in the nest maturing and when they leave the nest it is considered that they never return to it. They patrol an area leaving a scent trail on vegetation and when a young virgin strays into their territory she is pounced upon and mating takes place on the ground or other flat surface. When young virgins emerge from their cocoons they mature and then go out to forage returning back to the nest at nightfall.
These young virgins soon meet up with their male counterparts and mate. Once mated these queens continue to forage for pollen and nectar, which they break down internally into chemicals for storage in their fat bodies in preparation for hibernation during the winter. The young mated queen then digs a small hole in the soil and lining it with a solution from her Dufoss gland and salvia settles down to ‘sleep’ through the winter. Her metabolism slows right down and because of the chemicals in her body that act as an antifreeze she is able to withstand very cold temperatures. When the weather warms up in the spring she comes out of hibernation and the life cycle starts all over again.
There are 23 different bumblebees in Britain; of these 6 are cuckoo species whose queens take over a different bee species nest similar to the cuckoo bird. But it is the cuckoo queen that kills the rightful queen. The cuckoo queen does not lay eggs that develop into workers, only males and future queens. The workers of the rightful queen look after the usurper’s eggs and larvae.
There are six main species of bees that are found in your garden, and they are Bombus lapidarius (Large red tailed bumble bee, black with a brick red tail); B. terrestris (Buff tailed BB with yellow bands and buff tail); B. lucorum (Common white tailed BB yellow bands and white tail); B. hortorum (Common garden BB with three yellow bands and white tail); B. pratorum (Meadow BB yellow bands and red tail); and B. pascourum (Common Carder Bee dark or light brown BB). As I wrote in the beginning all of these species should have completed their life cycle by the time you read this article.
Did you know that if you are the only person aged 18 or over living in your property, you may be entitled to a 25% reduction in your Council Tax, see RDC Single Occupier Council Tax Information. You will need to complete an application form, available from the Revenues & Benefits Office. This information has been obtained from the Rochford District Council website.
Disclaimer: The information on these pages is placed here in good faith. We cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies that we are not aware of. All articles and reports from other sources within this website will indicate their origin. These articles and reports or those contained in links to third party sites within this website are not necessarily the views of Hawkwell Residents Association. If you know of information such as phone numbers, postal or website addresses that have now changed or are no longer available please pass this onto us via the Contact Us page.
‘Unavoidable’ - Councillor Keith Hudson.
Saved: Councillor Ron Oatham outside one of the toilets staying open.
Bad move - councillors Christine and John Mason, Anne Doward, David Blackwood and Carol Dutton standing where some of the development would be built.
Campaigners have called on Rochford Council to stop a plan for houses to be built on Green Belt Land in Hawkwell.
Health check - power to manage NHS budgets will shift to GPs in 2013.
If you want keep the street lights on click and sign this e-petition: 
The Winner - Lee Heath
Missed - Paul Stanley, 66
Geraldine Gull, owner of the Beehive Tearooms in Rochford. 
New Grave Stone – 
Fighting the plan – Melvyn and Joan Knight 
Victory for commensense - Dave Wildish and Jim Coffey are glad plans to turn the pub into a sports bar have been scrapped after objections from regulars.
