Work is taking place by the Environment Agency to shore up the sea defences at Stambridge Mill. At the same time, a formal planning application is due to be submitted shortly for approx 200 homes on this site. Whilst this will no doubt cause controversy, not least because of the added strain it will add to the ancient road system, something does need to happen at Stambridge Mill. The buildings are dilapidated and appear to be attracting vandalism. Whilst never exactly a beauty spot, there was something to appreciate in this post industrial landscape. Now it's just an eye sore. Inner London Group, who own the land, claim that they will invest in this river side location, improving public access and spending money to make it an atractive place for all to vist. I sincerely hope this is the case. A local resident told me she would like the area to become something akin to Battlesbridge. This is a wonderful idea, but harsh economic realities indicate this will not happen, though I wonder if it could be possible for the developers to set aside a couple of units for local artists or where antiques could be traded. I suspect any planning application will get an easier ride than Coombes Farm. After all the developers are contributing to essential sea defence work, and the land is not on green belt. But it should be possible to influence the final outcome...
UPDATE 19th August - Inner London Group are submitting an application for 163 units, a mix of flats and Exec houses. They plan to invest money in repairing the flood defences and generally upgrading the landscape for both future residents and visitors. My understanding is that the boundaries of the development will not stretch further than the existing site occupies but tbc - the full application is ready to view on the Council's website, which you can access by clicking on the title to this post and entering planning application reference 10/00553/FUL
UPDATE 15th September
It looks as though the EARLIEST this will be voted upon by Rochford Council is October and it may be later.
UPDATE 23rd October
Well it didn't go before the Council's Development Control Committee this month. I'll update as soon as I have a clearer idea of timing.
Whilst I agree that at present the mill is a eyesore and something needs to be done with it, as I resident of Mill Lane I am dreading the prospect of 163 houses being built there. The effect on this pretty country lane with be quite significant - imagine those 163 houses each having two cars each, which is often the norm nowadays. That's 326 cars travelling past my house every day! Cars park along the lane - both resident's and the cars of people dogwalking, etc - it will be a nightmare. Something like Battlesbridge, with the river being cleaned up as well, would have been much more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteWith the news that Colonnade are applying for a judicial review of their planning application refusal, I have finally had enough of this area - I will be moving next year, hopefully to an area that does not want to turn itself into a giant housing estate!