At a Glance
- Growing concern over large-scale housing developments in Rochford District
- Missing Green Belt Assessment sparks fears of unbalanced decision-making
- Thousands of homes proposed across key sites including Rochford, Rawreth, and Great Wakering
- Government urging councils to push ahead even without full evidence
- Residents call for transparency, sustainability, and “Infrastructure First!”
Concerns are growing across Rochford District as residents react to the scale of housing developments being proposed, many of which could see large areas of Metropolitan Green Belt released for construction.
The district faces increasing pressure to meet government housing targets, but community groups and residents warn that the process lacks the essential evidence needed to make lawful and informed decisions about where new homes should be built.
At the centre of these concerns is the preparation of the new Rochford District Local Plan, which will determine where land can be developed for housing, employment and infrastructure, and which areas must remain protected.
Missing Evidence Sparks Concern
However, Rochford District Council (RDC) has not yet secured a Green Belt Assessment, a key piece of evidence that identifies which parts of the Green Belt could be released or safeguarded. This independent study is vital to ensure that decisions are based on robust analysis rather than political or developer pressure.
Without it, residents fear they will be asked to take part in the upcoming Regulation 18 consultation, the first public stage of the Local Plan, before all the necessary evidence is available. This consultation is intended to gather public views on a draft plan, but if key studies such as Green Belt and flood-risk assessments are missing, it risks undermining public confidence in the process.
If a Local Plan is found unsound at inspection due to incomplete evidence, it can be delayed or even rejected, setting the district back by years.
It’s important to note that the current Green Belt review work has been instructed and funded by central government. Its purpose is not to protect existing Green Belt boundaries, but to examine which areas could be reclassified as “Grey Belt”, land that may be considered suitable for release from Green Belt protection. This distinction matters, as the review is about identifying sites that could be downgraded and brought forward for development, rather than strengthening protection.
Green Belt Sites Under Threat
Meanwhile, RDC has invited landowners and developers to submit potential housing sites through its Call for Sites exercise. Although the Council has said that brownfield land should be prioritised, many of the major proposals under consideration lie within Green Belt or agricultural areas. Some of the largest proposed developments include:
- 2,000 homes – Rochford Park (Brays Lane and Apton Hall Road, Rochford)
- 1,200 homes – Dollymans Farm (Rawreth)
- 950 homes – Tithe Park (off Poynters Lane, Great Wakering)
- 550 homes – Lubbards Farm (off Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh)
- 350 homes – Land west of Main Road, Hawkwell
- 300 homes – Pelhams Farm (north of Hall Road, Rochford)
- 250 homes – Brays Lane (east of Ashingdon)
- 225 homes – Fossetts Way, Southend
Combined, these proposals represent thousands of new homes, potentially doubling the size of some existing settlements. Residents are worried about the loss of countryside and the erosion of Green Belt boundaries, alongside concerns about road congestion, school places, GP access, flood risks and pressure on water networks. Questions also remain about whether Thames Water and Anglian Water can support the proposed level of growth, given ongoing issues around infrastructure investment and service reliability.
As a ward councillor, I have met with MP Bayo Alaba to raise these concerns directly. We discussed the importance of a strong evidence base, community transparency and clear assurances that development will be sustainable and properly supported by infrastructure improvements.
A recent letter from Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook MP (dated 9 October 2025) has also caused concern. The Minister confirmed that the government expects councils to accelerate Local Plan preparation, allowing plans to move forward even if key evidence, such as a full Green Belt Assessment, is still being completed. The letter grants Planning Inspectors new powers to recommend Green Belt reviews during examination and to adopt a more flexible approach when assessing housing targets and cooperation duties. While this aims to speed up plan-making, it could mean Rochford’s plan progresses before residents see the full evidence base, prompting renewed calls for transparency and genuine public involvement.
Residents Call for Balance
For most residents, the issue is not opposition to housing itself but ensuring it is appropriate, justified and sustainable. Communities understand the need for growth and want to contribute constructively, but they expect openness and respect for Rochford’s character and heritage.
Importantly, it’s not just about numbers, it’s about the right type of housing: genuinely affordable, family-sized homes that help take households off the housing register and into stable, long-term accommodation. Delivery should prioritise tenure mix, local affordability, and homes that meet real local need.
The district’s Green Belt plays a vital role in maintaining the identity of towns and villages, preventing urban sprawl and protecting local biodiversity. Losing large areas without clear justification could have lasting consequences for future generations.
As the Local Plan process continues, residents, parish councils and community groups are urging RDC to ensure that all evidence, particularly the Green Belt/Grey Belt review and flood studies, is completed and published before any consultation begins. Only then can residents provide meaningful feedback on proposals that will shape the district’s future.
The message from the community is clear: development must be based on evidence, not assumption.
By Cllr Julie Gooding
Rochford District Council
CllrJulie.Gooding@Rochford.gov.uk