Witham MP, Priti Patel speaks out against development proposals for Tollesbury
The MP for Witham, Priti Patel, has reiterated her opposition to the proposal for 99 new homes to be built on land off Mell Road, Tollesbury, describing the developer Gladman’s approach to planning as ‘heavy handed’ and suggesting that the development is ‘far too large for the village’.
Priti’s full statement:
Local residents will be aware of the plans being put forward for a large new housing development in Tollesbury. I believe that these proposals put forward by Gladman for 99 dwellings on a site off of Mell Road would be extremely detrimental to Tollesbury.
The scale of the development is far too large for the village and would put considerable new pressures on our local services and infrastructure. I also have serious concerns about road safety and the proposals for vehicular access to the site. While Tollesbury may be able to accommodate some new modest developments for local families, these proposals are unjustified.
Although a planning application has not yet been submitted, Gladman are undertaking a so-called pre-application consultation, which means an application will follow shortly. In my experience dealing with Gladman applications in other parts of the Witham constituency, they will ignore local views and press ahead with their ill-thought-through plans regardless. They will also use whatever tactics they can to try to secure planning permission and will throw large sums of money into this process.
Despite their efforts and heavy-handed approach to planning, I believe that by coming together as a local community to oppose this proposal we can put forward a strong and compelling case to beat them and get these appalling plans stopped.
A number of local residents have already been in contact with me about these proposals and I am making representations to Maldon District Council and Essex County Council highlighting the evidence against this development. I am also in contact with Tollesbury’s District Councillor Elaine Bamford, County Councillor Mark Durham and Tollesbury Parish Council over these proposals and am working closely with them.
If you have any comments about these proposals or any other issue, please do feel free to get in touch.
The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP
Member of Parliament for Witham
PP Mell Road, Tollesbury, Planning Statement (2019 July)