Close to flooding at Cherry Orchard Park

As these photos evidence, the recent downpours are beginning to take their toll. These photos were taken today at the footbridge at the bottom of the footpath which leads to Gusted Hall lane, and mark an amazing upsurge from yesterday afternoon, when we were both taking a fighting-against-the-elements afternoon stroll. Fortunately, the forecast suggests we're heading for a drier interlude. The "man made" lake has temporarily enlarged and extended, almost to the point where the excess water is draining into the adjacent river. However, there's always a winner, and the birdlife are taking full advantage of their expanding habitat.

6 miles across Cherry Orchard Park

I'm a reasonably keen walker and jogger, and Rochford offers excellent opportunities for both, although lack of day light and damp, water logged ground offer a challenge at this time of the year. I thought it could be worthwhile documenting some of the runs and walks, starting with this 6 mile run. It starts in the Market square in central Rochford, and finishes at Ironwell Lane, junction with Ashingdon Road.

Wherever possible, I try to avoid heavy traffic, it just makes running more of a grind. This run involves some soft ground, the route passes through woods at Gusted Hall, and along Ironwell Lane - both unmade. Despite the heavy rains, I managed to avoid a bootfall when I ran the route at the weekend, though caution is required.

The route is easy to follow. When heading South along Hall Rd, you need to take the underpass into Cherry Orchard Park at the first roundabout. Stay on the path which follows the edge of Jubilee Park until the very end, when it exits onto Green Lane. Turn right onto Green Lane, and follow until you reach Fleming Farm Rd (you can zoom into the map to obtain greater detail). Follow Fleming Farm Rd, a single tracked tarmaced road, past open fields and farm buildings until the very end, and turn right, when the road becomes a byway. You will reach a footbridge across a stream, and follow straight ahead, and up, through Gusted Hall woods. After approx 400 yards, you will exit the woods and pick up the route at Gusted Hall Lane. The remainder of the route should be able to be followed from the map.

Council Democracy - Use it or lose it

What have Australia, Argentina and the Democratic Republic of Congo got in common and why am I using these countries as a theme for this post? All three countries, and there are others, employ a system of compulsory voting, where every adult has to vote and are fined if they do not do so. In an ideal world, you would think that having the democratic right to choose who best represents your views in Government would be cherished. Most people have heard of Emily Pankhurst's suffragette movement to secure equal rights for women. In the UK, perhaps in search of this ideal world, it remains up to the individual whether or not he can be bothered to turn up at the ballot box. But sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't be a better, more cohesive, society, if people were made to care a little more. Perhaps a system of compulsory voting would force people to take an interest in what is happening around them, and then maybe it's why Governments have shied away from putting compulsory voting on the political agenda. With 100% of the eligible electorate voting, it really would put Politicans under the spotlight and encourage greater accountability. As it stands, however, the recent by election in Oldham suggests that people remain as sceptical as ever towards politics and politicians, with a turn out of just 48%, down from 61% in May's general election.

In Rochford, our Councillors go to some lengths to ensure accountability and accessibility. Apart from speaking to your Councillor directly, regular public meetings are held throughout the Rochford District where the public can attend and ask questions about almost any subject of concern to them. These are known as Area Committees and are presently split geographically, East (Rochford and surrounds), Central (Hawkwell) and West (Rayleigh) and are held in Libraries, Public Halls and Churches on a 2 to 3 month frequency. Hypocritically, I've only attended a couple in recent months, and have raised issues concerning Coombes Farm, rubbish on paths along the Roach Valley and at Rochford station. Others have raised subjects including crime and planning issues. Representatives from the Police, Health Service, and Essex County Council often also attend to provide an update of their services, and answer residents' questions.

It is a great facility available to the community, yet the attendance figures suggest few people are aware that they take place or, if they are, uninterested in showing up. The Council, aware of this, and looking to make savings where they can, have undertaken a review of Area Committeee and the Council's Executive will decide next week, whether to act on the recommendation to change the shape and form of these forums altogether. Whilst the meetings will not be as accessible as previously, the proposal appears to focus on just Rayleigh and Rochford as future venues, the aim is to make them more user friendly in format. The name will change to Community Forum, and the intention is to make them less formal, yet still provide residents with a face to face opportunity to get a direct answer to their parking frustration, or youth nuisance issue, or whatever.

I hope this new format is supported by us residents, and indeed I hope the Council promote it widely. An announcement on the Rochford District Council website is not sufficient. I know, from my own experiences with the Coombes Farm campaign, that you need to go door to door when you want to get the message across. Another factor, is that the Council are under no legal obligation to hold these forums, and many other Districts do not provide such a facility. So, if the Council do their bit, and the invitations are extended, I hope that we will accept. Otherwise, within a very short space of time, they may cease altogether, and it really will only be us to blame for the loss of a valuable local democratic resource.

New Ship flats - beware the precedents UPDATED 21st Jan 2011

A scheme that had previously been rejected by Rochford District Council's planning committee returns in a slightly revised format, and this time is being recommended for approval. The new owners of the New Ship Inn, which is undergoing a lengthy refurbishment, have applied for permission to demolish a dilapidated garage building on the site and construct a two storey structure in its place to provide five one bedroomed flats. It appears the existing car park will be used as part of the development. Council Officers believe the new scheme will blend in with the existing street scene, and cite more modern developments in East Street - Saxon Place and Glenmore House, as precedents for existing flatted developments, one of their main reasons for recommending approval. If anyone feels strongly about these proposals, you can attend the Development Control meeting on 20th January at the Council's Civic Suite in Rayleigh.

UPDATE: Councillors have voted against the Planning Officers' recommendation and refused the application. No doubt this will now go to appeal.

Coombes Farm makes the Independent

It comes to something when the Independent's satirist picks up the Coombes Farm story as an example of Eric Pickles' meddling - click on the title to see the reference in the penultimate paragraph. I'm not sure I like the hint of a derogatory reference to Essex folk or the Nimby branding, but it nevertheless supports my argument that our Secretary of State has acted like a dick.

Of course it is no laughing matter. Meeting some neighbours and fellow residents over the past few days, I've almost wanted to dip my head and avert my gaze. The fact the Coombes Farm Inspector's decision has effectively been cancelled, and we may be looking at yet another Inquiry is dismal enough information to swallow at any time of year, let alone in the week before Christmas. A Senior Councillor has explained that the High Court has technically quashed the appeal decision. The Secretary of State will now re-visit the submissions made by all parties and decide the best way to re-determine the planning application. I foresee this dragging on for some months yet, taking the time from when plans to build on Coombes Farm by Colonnade were first announced to nearly 2 years. I am reassured, though, that this is one planning application the Council and Residents are united against, however. And we will never give up.

Coombes Farm - Decision Quashed

The Planning Inspectorate will shortly decide whether a fresh Inquiry is required to decide the future of Coombes Farm. This follows the High Court's decision to quash the original decision due to it being found unsound, the culprit being the Secretary of State, and comments made regarding housing targets - see earlier posts. Clicking on the title will take you to the Evening Echo article.

Wish List for 2011 (updated)

Some quite dramatic changes, and some less so, could take place in the Rochford District in 2011, and this is a personal outline of some of these.

First and foremost, I want to see the uncertainty over the future of Coombes Farm removed forever. I remain hopeful that any legal challenges, if allowed to proceed, will not succeed.

By February 2011 the Council will have considered the planning application for 600 new homes at Hall Rd. The landscape as you drive into Rochford from the West could change forever and beautiful, high grade agricultural land will be permanently lost. Many will have seen the posters spaced along this stretch of road headlining these facts.

The planning application to redevelop Stambridge Mill is expected to be submitted in early 2011.

On a more positive note, I'm hopeful that the Roach Valley pathway will be improved in the Watts Lane stretch. At present high, ugly metal fencing protrudes unneccesarily towards the edge of the path, marking the permimeter of the Nevendon car salvage business. Cars tower into the sky, further degrading the environmental landscape. I understand, however, that Nevendon have agreed to remove the outer fencing shortly, which should offer some relief by the extra space created, plus the aesthetic improvement.

2010 was a sad year for pubs in Rochford with the closure of the New Ship and Old Ship, and The Kings Head and Rose and Crown being put up for sale.

The Old Ship has reopened as the Conservative Club, and work continues on the New Ship in East Street. Hopefully this will reopen in 2011 as a decent drinking and eating venue. I hope also for a good outcome for the Kings Head and Rose and Crown. These surely are opportunities to increase the choice and variety for both residents and visitors.

I hope we don't see the shops suffer in 2011. With "Sainsbury's Local" recently opening at the bottom of West Street this will surely put additional pressure on the wonderful Butchers, Bakers, Greengrocers and other retailers in the Square, and immediate streets around.

Rochford is such an attractive small town, and I strongly believe it wouldn't take much to get it on the tourist map. There isn't another town in South Essex which compares in terms of abundance of beautiful architectural gems of buildings.

Despite the dreadful economic climate there is no reason that 2011 cannot represent an overall, positive step forward for Rochford.

UPDATE 9th Feb 2011 - the Hall Rd planning application will not be discussed at the February planning committee (Development Control Committee), I don't know the reason for the delay.