Castle Point Plan Vision (Question 1)
1. What are your views on the draft Vision for the Castle Point Plan?
Please provide your views here:
Too much thought on housing and not enough thought going into infrastructure and meaningful jobs.
Benfleet (Questions 14-24)
14. What are your views on the issues that need to be addressed in Benfleet within the Local Plan?
Please provide any views you may have:
Doctors surgeries, dentists, child care facilities, social clubs for the elderly and parents with young children. Facilities for young people. People need affordable housing with gardens and open spaces with trees, flowers and fresh air.
15. What changes or improvements would you like to see in South Benfleet Local Centre?
Please provide details of any changes or improvements you would like to see:
Free parking to bring in people to the local shops. safer crossings with cctv to hopefully deter drivers from causing accidents or near misses. Visible police presence to help prevent anti social behaviour. Facilities for young people to enjoy. Any new developments always look out of character with the area.
16. What type of development would you support within the South Benfleet development cluster?
Please provide details of any type you would support:
Affordable homes with gardens for children to play safely in quiet areas.
17. What type of development would you support within the Benfleet Station development cluster?
Please provide details of any type you would support:
None. This is a conservation area. Any modern housing will be completely out of character and ruin the historical area.
18. What approach should be taken to development in and around the South Benfleet Conservation Area?
Please provide details of any approach that should be taken:
There should be no development.
19. What changes or improvements would you like to see in Tarpots Local Centre?
Please provide details of any changes or improvements you would like to see:
The area needs a sympathetic complete regeneration.
20. What type of development would you support within the Tarpots development cluster?
Please provide details of any type you would support:
We have enough apartment blocks. Housing for growing families.
21. What types of development could be considered as appropriate within the Manor Trading Estate?
Please provide details of any types you would support:
Doctors, Dentists, Schools, childcare facilities. Nothing that encroaches the green belt areas.
22. What opportunities for improvements and development within the A13 corridor in Benfleet are there?
Please provide details of any opportunities:
It's a through road. The proposed plan appears to be knocking down every business that already exists for housing.
23. What improvements should be made to the South Benfleet Playing Fields area?
Please provide details of any improvements that should be made:
Facilities for people to play. A cafe/tearoom & toilets. Better lighting. Patrols from the police and community officers.
24. Do you have any views about the potential Site Allocations in Benfleet?
Please provide any views you may have on potential site allocations:
Parking areas for shoppers are crucial. The petrol station is essential.
Thundersley (Questions 36-40)
36. What are your views on the issues that need to be addressed in Thundersley within the Local Plan?
Please provide any views you may have on the issues that need to be addressed:
Our parks and green spaces need to stay.
37. What type of development would you support within the Kiln Road development cluster?
Please provide details of any type you would support:
Affordable houses, with gardens and parking.
38. What opportunities for improvements and development within the A13 corridor in Thundersley are there?
Please provide details of any improvement opportunities you may have:
Please keep it as it is.
39. What types of development could be considered as appropriate within the Rayleigh Weir retail park and Stadium Way employment area?
Please provide details of any types that could be considered:
None. The increased amount of traffic to the area with lack of infrastructure is a no go. The area is a lovely open space for wildlife and walking.
40. Do you have any views about the potential Site Allocations in Thundersley?
Please provide any views you may have on potential site allocations:
I do not want any developments to be undertaken. The village and surrounding area will not benefit from any new builds.
Borough-Wide Development Strategy Options (Questions 41-50)
41. What do you think the required Castle Point Plan housing need figure should be?. Please select your preferred choice from the options below (For delivering the housing growth we need):
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Urban Area Capacity Only (c3,730)
Radio button:
Unticked
Local Housing Need (c5,100)
Radio button:
Unticked
Standard Methodology Housing Need (c7,100)
Radio button:
Ticked
Other (please state)
If you selected 'other' please provide details:
No more than 1,000. Our roads and essential facilities are already over stretched. There is no talk of building hospitals, doctors surgeries or dental practices and no way of improving the infrastructure in the borough without bringing chaos to our roads. People are used to travelling by car and moving door to door. They do not want to walk along unstable/broken pathways and badly lit areas. If you cycle, you risk having your bike stolen, even if they are secured and that is without considering the potholes.
42. Please rank the following options in your order of preference for delivering the housing growth we need (1 being your most preferred option):
Please rank these from 1 to 6
Option 1a - Limit new development to the Urban Area
3
Option 1b – Regenerate Designated Employment Areas within the urban area to meet local housing needs
1
Option 1c – Increase density in the urban area to meet local housing needs
4
Option 2a – Release c50 Ha of green belt to meet local housing needs
5
Option 2b – Create a substantial new employment area in NW of Thundersley to release some existing employment land for new homes to meet local housing needs
2
Option 3 – Release c120 Ha of green belt land to meet the Standard Methodology housing requirement
6
43. Do you have any comments on the implications of the Options above?
Please provide any comments you may have:
I have placed in order, but the green belt should not be touched. The wildlife in our area is becoming both scarce and more urban. There are plenty of areas in lesser populated areas of the country that should be used for development.
44. Do you have another preferred option, which may include a combination of the above, or alternative land sources?
Please provide details of any other preferred option:
Just don't build in this area.
45. What do you think about the sources of urban land identified, and how should they be managed if they are redeveloped, for example, should existing service capacity be retained on site or within the borough?
Please provide any views you may have:
If urban sites are redeveloped, they must be built sympathetically and with eco systems such as solar panels or small wind turbines. Trees are also essential to combat climate change.
46. What types of development could be considered as appropriate within the North West of Thundersley area?
Please provide details of any types that could be considered:
Hospital, dental surgery to lighten the load on the rest of the borough.
47. Please rank the following outcome options in your order of preference to show what you feel should be delivered alongside new housing in the Plan (1 being your most preferred option):
Please rank these from 1 to 5
1.Increase affordable housing contributions from new developments
5
2.Emphasise design quality in new developments
3
3.Focus on the delivery of new community infrastructure within new developments
1
4.Focus on creating exemplary environmental sustainability in new developments
2
5.Focus on improving the operation of the transport network
4
48. Are there any other priorities not listed above which you feel should be delivered alongside new housing in the plan?
Please provide any other priorities you may have:
No
49. What benefits could justify increased density in new development in the Borough?. Please rank the following in your order of preference (1 being your most preferred option):
Please rank these from 1 to 5
1.Development should focus on being in keeping with existing character
2
2.Some increased density could be acceptable if it delivers more affordable housing
4
3.Some increased density could be acceptable if it safeguards the green belt
3
4.Some increased density could be acceptable if it delivers more infrastructure
5
5.Some increased density could be acceptable if it delivers town centre improvements
1
50. Are there any other benefits that you think it would be appropriate for higher density development to deliver?
Please provide any appropriate benefits for higher density:
Higher density really isn't an option.
Providing the right types of new homes (Questions 51-58)
51. Which type of affordable housing product do you want to see prioritized?. (Please select your preferred levels)
| First Homes: Government/Evidence benchmark = 17 houses per year) Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | First Homes: Government/Evidence benchmark = 17 houses per year) Just Right Radio button: Not checked Just Right | First Homes: Government/Evidence benchmark = 17 houses per year) Lower Radio button: Checked Lower |
| Social Housing: Government/Evidence benchmark = 50 houses per year) Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | Social Housing: Government/Evidence benchmark = 50 houses per year) Just Right Radio button: Checked Just Right | Social Housing: Government/Evidence benchmark = 50 houses per year) Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
| Affordable rent: Government/Evidence benchmark = 50 houses per year) Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | Affordable rent: Government/Evidence benchmark = 50 houses per year) Just Right Radio button: Not checked Just Right | Affordable rent: Government/Evidence benchmark = 50 houses per year) Lower Radio button: Checked Lower |
| Total Affordable Housing: Government/Evidence benchmark = 69 houses per year) Higher Radio button: Checked Higher | Total Affordable Housing: Government/Evidence benchmark = 69 houses per year) Just Right Radio button: Not checked Just Right | Total Affordable Housing: Government/Evidence benchmark = 69 houses per year) Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
52. Do you think there should be a different split of housing unit sizes than identified in the Local Housing Needs Assessment for Market Housing?. (Please select your preferred levels)
| 1 Bed Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | 1 Bed Just Right Radio button: Checked Just Right | 1 Bed Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
| 2 Bed Higher Radio button: Checked Higher | 2 Bed Just Right Radio button: Not checked Just Right | 2 Bed Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
| 3 Bed Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | 3 Bed Just Right Radio button: Checked Just Right | 3 Bed Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
| 4+ Beds Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | 4+ Beds Just Right Radio button: Not checked Just Right | 4+ Beds Lower Radio button: Checked Lower |
53. Do you think there should be a different split of housing unit sizes than identified in the Local Housing Needs Assessment for Affordable Housing?. (Please select your preferred levels)
| 1 Bed Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | 1 Bed Just right Radio button: Not checked Just right | 1 Bed Lower Radio button: Checked Lower |
| 2 Bed Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | 2 Bed Just right Radio button: Checked Just right | 2 Bed Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
| 3 Bed Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | 3 Bed Just right Radio button: Checked Just right | 3 Bed Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
| 4+ Beds Higher Radio button: Not checked Higher | 4+ Beds Just right Radio button: Not checked Just right | 4+ Beds Lower Radio button: Checked Lower |
54. What proportion of new housing stock should be built to enhanced accessibility standards?
| M4 (2) - Adaptable. Evidence Benchmark is 100% Higher Radio button: Checked Higher | M4 (2) - Adaptable. Evidence Benchmark is 100% Just Right Radio button: Not checked Just Right | M4 (2) - Adaptable. Evidence Benchmark is 100% Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
| M4 (3) - Wheelchair Adapted. Evidence Benchmark is 8% Higher Radio button: Checked Higher | M4 (3) - Wheelchair Adapted. Evidence Benchmark is 8% Just Right Radio button: Not checked Just Right | M4 (3) - Wheelchair Adapted. Evidence Benchmark is 8% Lower Radio button: Not checked Lower |
55. How do you feel about the supply of Caravan & Park Homes in the borough?
Please provide any views you may have:
We do not need any more.
56. How do you feel about the provision of specialist housing (ie. homes for older people)?
Please provide any views you may have:
There appears to be an increase in older people in the borough, therefore we need to provide appropriate housing for them.
57. In priority order, please indicate how much emphasis you consider social housing and sheltered housing to have?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
High
Radio button:
Ticked
Medium
Radio button:
Unticked
Low
58. How should we meet the needs for new Gypsy & Traveller homes?
Please provide any views you may have:
We have these in the borough. I don't think we need more.
Developing Castle Points economy (Questions 59-66)
59. Do you have any comments on the continued safeguarding of the Council’s three principal employment areas for employment?
Manor Trading Estate?:
The noise from this site is quite unbearable at times and would be off putting for anyone moving to the area or into new housing around it.
Charfleets Industrial Estate?:
Not very familiar with this industrial estate.
Stadium Way, Rayleigh Weir?:
This area is mainly large stores/warehouses. The traffic build up is particularly bad at the weekend.
60. What additional uses should be introduced to help to improve the operation of the borough’s employment sites?
Please provide any additional uses you may have:
These areas could incorporate Drs surgeries and dentists.
61. How much protection do you feel un-designated smaller employment sites should be given?
Please provide any views you may have:
Not sure.
62. Do you think that new development should be designed to support working from home?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Yes
Radio button:
Ticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
It really depends on the jobs being done from home. I have noticed that a lot of businesses just don't appear to have staff working when they're at home, particularly on a Monday, Friday or good weather day. Also people having work done in their homes would disturb home workers, along with noisy neighbours and pets.
63. Do you think new facilities that aid working near home should be supported?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Yes
Radio button:
Ticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
It really depends on the type of work being carried out. Offices would be fine, but any noisy or polluting manual work should not be near housing.
64. How can the new Local Plan help to support the tourist economy of the Borough?
Please provide any suggestions you may have:
Not sure how many hotels or holiday sites are on Canvey, but the rest of Castle Point is very lacking in accommodation.
65. How can the plan support the development of skills within the borough’s workforce?
Please provide any suggestions you may have:
Don't get rid of the sixth form college!
66. Would you support the development of a new facility to help improve local skills, and the ability of residents to improve their opportunities to find work locally?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
Accessible courses for all including those wishing to change their career path.
Ensuring the boroughs town centres vibrancy (Questions 67-74)
67. Are there any changes you would propose to the borough’s network of centres?
Please provide any changes you would propose:
Free parking. This would encourage people to shop locally and bring the opportunities for empty shops to reopen.
68. How important is the safeguarding of retail floorspace within the heart of local centres to you?
Please provide any views you may have:
Very important. We need to be able to everything we need in local shops at competitive prices to those larger stores.
69. Do you have any improvements that you would like to see in your local centre or shopping parade?
Please provide details of any improvements you would like to see:
Free parking, better/safe paving. Shops appropriate for the people of the area.
70. Do you support greater protection for individual shops outside of local centres and parades?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
These are small businesses, often independent.
71. What should the Council’s approach to the provision of parking in town centres be?
Please provide any approach you may have:
Free parking to encourage shoppers back.
72. What is your opinion of retail parks?
Please provide any views you may have:
You can only drive to them. They are difficult to get in and out of as they get so busy, especially at the weekend.
73. How should hot food takeaways be managed in the borough?
Please provide any views you may have:
They should have the necessary food hygiene certification displayed, regardless of the star rating. They must ensure that rubbish from customers is put in bins provided or cleared up by their staff if discarded further along the street.
74. Do you support a more diverse range of uses in town centres, for example offices which would support the daytime economy, and flats, restaurants and bars that would support the evening economy?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
This sounds like quite an ideal situation.
Creating well designed development and protecting the boroughs character (Questions 75-81)
75. What issues do you think should be addressed through the borough-wide Design Code?
Please provide any issues you feel should be addressed:
Too many of our original buildings have been torn down and replaced by generic square buildings with no character. It's too late to make the borough look pretty again. Soon Benfleet Conservation area will fall fate to this downfall.
76. What issues do you think should inform the density of new development in the borough?
Please provide any issues you feel should inform density:
Not sure
77. If a planning application for a large development (100+ homes) comes forward, should a master plan be created guiding how the development should take place?
Please provide any views you may have:
Yes. People in the immediate vicinity of such plans should have a greater say. If some years down the line they wish to sell up, the said new development may make it more difficult for them to sell their own property.
78. What amenity considerations should be applied when considering new developments adjacent to existing homes?
Please provide any amenity considerations:
Privacy. Too many properties are overlooked.
79. What are your feelings on the development of residential annexes within the curtilage of existing homes?
Please provide any views you may have:
If the property has the space, then as long as the annexe does not cause daylight or noise problems to other neighbours, I can't see a problem. 2 of our neighbours have these and fortunately, there have been no issues.
80. How do you feel about public art being incorporated in new development (i.e. sculptures or murals)?
Please provide any views you may have:
Possibly, but this would depend on the cost of such structures and how long before they are vandalised by whoever feels the need to do such a thing.
81. Do you have any views on protecting and enhancing the boroughs heritage assets as set out above?
Please provide any views you may have:
We have already lost too much of our heritage in Castle Point. It's a shame that along with the destruction of important buildings, particularly in Thundersley, that green space is lost to modern buildings too.
Creating environmentally sustainable new development (Questions 82-88)
82. What are your views on building new homes to a net zero standard in advance of national policy timeframes?
Please provide any views you may have:
This would be good, but probably not possible.
83. What do you think about large scale renewable energy generation (i.e. a solar farm) in green belt locations?
Please provide any views you may have:
I think the solar panels should be incorporated onto buildings and not on the land, particularly green belt.
84. Do you feel existing homes/buildings in the borough should be retrofitted to improve their energy efficiency?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
This would help all.
85. Should the plan apply the optional requirement for increased water efficiency in new development?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
People need to be educated more about water. This could start in schools, as children can then pass on the information to their parents.
86. Do you feel that Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) should be incorporated into smaller, as well as major developments?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
Every little thing that can be done to prevent pollution in our water system is a good thing.
87. What do you think new development should be required to do in order to support a healthy design in new development?
Please provide any views you may have:
Any new developments should be sustainable and incorporate the surrounding area into it's design.
88. How do you feel the Plan should help to address existing and potential new pollution impacts?
Please provide any views you may have:
I think we need to address the existing problems before we build more homes.
Protecting and enhancing green and blue infrastructure (Questions 89-99)
89. What new uses could be acceptable within the green belt area to support and enhance its use (i.e. cafes or sports infrastructure etc)?
Please provide details of any acceptable uses:
Areas to walk and watch the wildlife, such a s hides, but also accessible paths and areas for less abled people. Guided walks with rangers or local experts. A community space with a cafe where groups could chat or crafts people could work and hold classes and demonstrations for people of all ages and abilities.
90. How do you feel the risk of flooding should be managed in new development?
Please provide any views you may have:
If it is an area prone to flooding or where a spring may be in existence, then the land should not be built on. It will only cause problems for them and others in the vicinity.
91. What, beyond improved flood defences, do you want to see as part of the upgrades to coastal defences?
Please provide details of any additional upgrades:
Not sure how a dredging programme would work around the creek. I would not want wildlife to be affected, but obviously the strong current causes movement and storms make the water levels worse.
92. How would you like the plan to protect and improve the borough’s stock and network of open spaces?
Please provide any views you may have:
Better parking facilities for users, so the roads don't get blocked. Better footpaths that are maintained regularly.
93. What aspects of Castle Point’s landscape should be protected and enhanced through new development?
Please provide any aspects you feel should be protected or enhanced:
Ancient woodland, areas of outstanding scientific interest and green belt should all be protected. It is no good leaving the odd protected tree or planting saplings that are then not watered and looked after.
94. Are there opportunities to improve areas of Castle Point’s landscape?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
If you answered Yes please explain:
Maintaining footpaths through woodland and coppicing to encourage new growth. People can enjoy the area more this way.
95. Which landscape features should be protected in new development, and how?
Please provide any feature that should be protected:
Green belt, ancient woodland, areas of scientific interest and trees with preservation orders on them.
96. What approach do you feel should be taken to protection of habitats and wildlife sites?
Please provide any approach you feel should be taken:
We have already lost too many habitats in the borough. By developing more areas, these creatures start to encroach on peoples land/gardens.
97. Would you support seeking a higher than 10% Biodiversity Net Gain requirement?
Please add any supporting comments:
I don't understand this.
98. Would you support the introduction of an Urban Greening Factor seeking to increase biodiversity in urban areas?
Please add any supporting comments:
Not sure.
99. What do you feel about the management of agricultural land?
Please provide any views you may have:
We need this land to provide food for our ever increasing poulation.
Providing the services local residents and businesses need (Questions 100-109)
100. Would you like to see more community hubs which deliver a range of community facilities in one place as part of the plan?
Please provide any views you may have:
Yes. We need these for all age groups and abilities.
101. How do you think new health infrastructure should be brought forward in the borough?
Please provide any views you may have:
We need a community hospital as well as drs and dentists.
102. What type of improvements to entertainment and leisure facilities would you like to see in your local area?
Please provide details of any type you would like to see:
The skate park at Legacy XS could be majorly improved.
103. How do you think new education infrastructure should be brought forward in the borough?
Please provide any views you may have:
We need to prioritise school places for those who live nearest to the schools.
104. How do you feel the cultural environment can be improved in the borough?
Please provide any views you may have:
We all need to integrate more. Community events that are well advertised would be a good starter.
105. What do you feel about the protection of public houses from speculative development?
Please provide any views you may have:
It would depend on how well used the public house is.
106. How would you like new communications infrastructure to be provided as part of new developments?
Please provide any views you may have:
If people are working from home, then these facilities are imperative.
107. What do you feel about the provision of utilities to new developments?
Please provide any views you may have:
It would depend where the developments are and whether installing such provisions would interupt existing houses.
108. Should land be allocated for large scale renewable energy generation?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Yes
Radio button:
Ticked
No
Please add any supporting comments:
We have no spare land for such eyesores.
109. How should waste management and refuse storage be designed into new developments?
Please provide details how you feel this could be achieved:
Access to the back of housing should be included. Bins out the front of properties look unsightly and encourage bored people to move them around.
Improving accessibility for all in Castle Point (Questions 110-119)
110. Which of the following active travel infrastructure improvements would you be in favor of? (Please select your choices)
Please select all that apply
Checkbox:
Ticked
Improved pedestrian paths and walkways
Checkbox:
Ticked
Improved road crossings
Checkbox:
Unticked
Improved off-road cycling infrastructure
Checkbox:
Unticked
Improved on-road cycling infrastructure
Checkbox:
Unticked
Improved at-destination cycling infrastructure, such as more and better (ie undercover) cycle parking
111. What issues do you think should be identified in Transport Assessments, and managed through Travel Plans?
Please provide details of any issues:
Easy access to bus stops.
112. What type of road infrastructure needs to be improved over the Plan period?. Please rank the following 'Benefits afforded by increasing development density' into your order of preference (1 being your most preferred option):
Please rank these from 1 to 6
Road maintenance including addressing potholes
1
Additional road capacity
6
Junction improvements
4
Pedestrian interfaces such as crossings
2
Active travel improvements
3
Additional public transport capacity
5
113. Which parts of the highway network should be prioritised for improvement?
Please provide details of what you feel should be prioritized:
A third road off Canvey.
114. Are there any new transport routes that you feel should be introduced to provide better/quicker routes to ease congestion?
Please provide details of any new suggested routes:
A third road off Canvey.
115. What would you like the Plan to do to assist the use of modes other than the private car?
Please provide details of what the plan could do:
Bus routes that reach more people.
116. Please rank these bus improvements in your order of preference (1 being your most preferred option):
Please rank these from 1 to 5
Improved bus frequency
2
More space dedicated to buses on the highway (faster buses)
5
Wider network of routes/ destinations
1
Starting earlier and ending later
3
Improved bus waiting facilities
4
117. What approaches to improving pedestrian movement in and around centre in the borough would you like to see?
Please provide any approaches you may have:
Better paths, better lighting, more police so you feel safer when walking.
118. What do you think about the proposed parking standards?
Please provide any views you may have:
Not sure.
119. What measures do you feel would help to reduce the impacts of rat-running on unsuitable routes in the borough?. (Please select your choice(s))
Please select all that apply
Checkbox:
Ticked
1. Block through-routes
Checkbox:
Ticked
2. Reduce speed limits
Checkbox:
Ticked
3. Road calming measures
Checkbox:
Ticked
4. One-way streets