Letter to Press about over-development

Subject: Urgent Concerns Regarding Planning Applications Near Dunton Park

Hi Matthew,

I’m writing to you as Secretary of the Dunton Park Residents' Association, representing the residential park home site along Lower Dunton Road.

As you may be aware, our area is currently facing an unprecedented surge in planning applications - particularly to the north of Lower Dunton Road. Within just half a mile of Dunton Park, there are now four major development proposals, all targeting designated green belt land. This once-protected landscape is being steadily eroded, largely due to recent amendments in National Planning Policy. Alarmingly, there’s a clear pattern emerging: Basildon’s planning officer appears to be recommending approval across the board on the basis housing need outweighs environmental and other green belt concerns.

What’s even more concerning is the consistent disregard for local voices. A recent application for an industrial-scale battery installation - equivalent in size to four football pitches - was waved through without any direct consultation with Dunton Park’s 187 households, despite being its closest neighbour.

We’ve just discovered yet another application scheduled for review by the planning committee next week. Once again, it’s recommended for approval and located just a stone’s throw from our site - yet no direct engagement with our community has taken place.

I’ve lodged a formal complaint with the council and am working to arrange a meeting with our MP. However, we believe this issue deserves broader attention. The lack of transparency, the cumulative impact of mass development, and the steady loss of green belt land are deeply troubling - and we feel these concerns should be brought to light in the press.

Would Essex Live be willing to help us raise awareness?

Best regards,
James
Secretary
Dunton Park Residents' Association