UPDATED 1st December 2018

BREAKING NEWS: WHAT ‘DUNTON HILLS GARDEN VILLAGE’ MEANS FOR BASILDON DISTRICT RESIDENTS (Year on Year): -

1. INCREASED COUNCIL TAX &/OR
2. HAVE REDUCED SERVICES &/OR
3. LESS FUNDING TO OTHER SERVICES/ORGANISATIONS
4. AND CAUSE SEVERE PROBLEMS: Schools, Health Services, Transport etc
   
   ANDREW BAGGOTT aware of problems but does not appear to be taking appropriate action!
   Yet at ‘Meet the Leader Meeting held in August 2018’ at Landon (August 2018) stated was annoyed at being unable to stop Chelmsford’s development dumping on Basildon, as residents using Basildon’s services, costing Basildon money.
   In press reports notes  DHGV will cost Basildon District residents.

Dunton Hills Garden Village – DHGV
(Brentwood – 4,000 New Homes – STATE 2,500 to start with but in documents show 3,500)
Advised have large area(s) available to increase further
& Dunton
(Basildon – currently 300 New Homes but appears expecting government to increase, so no real scrutiny)

14,000 + RESIDENTS, 7,000 VEHICLES to start with + OVER 30 TRAVELLERS/GYPSY PITCHES

Cllr. Baggott, Conservative leader of Basildon Council COMMENTS at meeting in Langdon Hills on 23^rd August 2018 means he backs DHGV and he
(the Conservatives) appear want to build up to 3,500 at Dunton.
Note was reduced to 300 New Homes at Dunton early in 2018 by Labour/UKIP alliance.

Reason to build at Dunton is two-fold:

BRENTWOOD
Have ALL the income, grants £36 million pounds besides council tax but Basildon suffer ALL the year on year costs.
Andrew Baggoot stated wants to negotiate with Brentwood Council about infrastructure but knows Basildon residents will suffer the costs as explained above.
BASILDON
Appears the Conservatives have reduced housing in certain areas and will put forward Local Plan with vast shortfall regarding the Housing Target is so Dunton will have a Large Town, claiming government made them build there but was in fact always their intention.
In Conservatives original proposals for Dunton claimed this side of Basildon was in a deprived area (Though consists of Langdon Hills, Laindon & Dunton).

• Baggott, Conservative (INACCURATE COMMENTS) taken from persons NOTES of meeting:
  (Even though have grounds to oppose/stop DHGV but do not wish to consider taking action to protect Basildon District Residents.)
  (A) Said that he was correctly quoted, when he said “We can either see how we can negotiate with Brentwood which might mean some houses there but then we get the infrastructure or we send them a stiff letter saying how disappointed we are. Those are the two options that I see it, but other people might have other options they might want to suggest they can be brought to be table.”
  (B) He said that he cannot stop their development,
  (OUR COMMENT – ACTUALLY COULD TAKE MORE ACTION AGAINST BRENTWOODS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT to stop it but not prepared to do so)
  but hopes that all of the reasons pointed out at the time of consultation, for why it shouldn’t go ahead, will be noted, and their local plan will fail. Because this can’t be guaranteed he will be left with the two options quoted, and believes in that situation it would be better for us to build houses too, so that we can get an improvement in infrastructure, as we know the DHGV/DGS proximity means they will be a drain on Basildon services.

This means it will become the Dunton Garden Suburb we fought so hard to avoid, but he says we will have all of the problems related to the Brentwood development otherwise, without any gains.
NOTE THE COSTS TO BASILDON RESIDENTS FAR OUTWEIGH ANY SHORT-TERM BENEFITS, year on year.

He stated repeatedly that the one thing he is adamant about is infrastructure first. He will state to Government, etc., that there needs to be significant improvements to things like the hospital, A127 and schools, etc., before this can go ahead, a MEANINGLESS COMMENT.
Reason is simple he/nor council can dictate terms.

He denies that it will be used as a way to put houses back in the Local Plan, that have been taken out from other parts of the borough,
(See point (i) above – THEIR BACK DOOR APPROACH), a false statement which the conservative actions tend to prove.

HOWEVER, BRENTWOOD COUNCIL MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO BUILD ‘DUNTON HILLS GARDEN VILLAGE’ AND BASILDON COUNCIL MUST TAKE ACTION.
However, Basildon Council wish to take no action and the costs of a Legal Challenge by Residents would be too expensive.
Plus the government have rigged Housing Targets set by the National Planning Policy Framework, benefiting Councils like Brentwood and penalises Councils like Basildon.
Also the policy adopted by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England only acts when both councils involved ask for a boundary review. Therefore, protects the offending council (In this case brentwood) who dump New Homes infrastructure costs (Council Tax INCREASE &/or REDUCED SERVICES’ &/or
severe Problems etc.) on another council (Basildon).
The above proves the government departments are ensuring that there is not a level playing field, for ALL councils.

NEW (15th March 2016)
Is GAS PIPELINE at DUNTON – dangerous!
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/14329667.Could_major_underground_gas_pipe_scupper_plans_for_a_2_000_home_Basildon_suburb_/
This should have been known by Basildon Council or was it and full details given and commented on. Appears deliberately hidden by both councils.
Does it effect Brentwoods proposals?

Basildon Council advise: The Government will appoint a Planning Inspector to examine the public (and activity which takes place in public) before determining whether the Draft Local Plan is sound, or good enough to adopt as part of the Development Plan for the whole Borough until 2034, sometime in 2018.

But Basildon Council must have full explanations in place, how to overcome major problems, written confirmation finance ring fenced to cover them and by Essex County Council (Roads and Drainage) and by C2C (for extra rolling stock).
Also far more detail on infrastructure and reference to Brentwood Borough Council building program which will affect the area and make it a Large town of 8,500+ homes in due course.

Basildon Borough Council must ensure all points below covered!

DUNTON NEW TOWN

In all but name taking into account Brentwood Borough Council’s proposals and total housing.

Referred to as DUNTON (Basildon Council) or DUNTON GARDEN SUBURB (Joint) or DUNTON HILLS GARDEN VILLAGE (Brentwood Council) – (Greenbelt Site).
Also referred to as – West Basildon Urban Extension (Green Belt to the west of Laindon)

TOPICS re Development at DUNTON (LARGE New Town)!	.	Basildon Borough Council refer to Local Plan 2014 – 2034 pages 134 -138 eTC.	.	DETAILS &/or COMMENTS	.
Logical comments		VITAL INFORMATION MISSING		No comments how to overcome MAJOR PROBLEMS!
DWELLINGS UNDERSTAND now wish to build up to 3,500 New Homes. PREVIOUSLY (i) Start with 1,000 New Homes and a care/nursing home. (ii) Add further 1,350 New Homes + Gypsy/Traveller pitches + Care/nursing home.		– Policy 10b to the south of the area is to safeguard land for a further 1,350 homes, a care/nursing homes and primary school which would be provided after 2034. Land within 10b would also be safeguarded for providing a new secondary school, but this could come forward between 2016 and 2034, and would not have to wait for the delivery of 10b’s housing allocation.		3,500 New Homes
DUNTON GARDEN SUBURB Now appears proceeding		20th February 2016 Advised joint consultation with Brentford Council has come to an end. 1a) The Draft Local Plan does not support the development of Dunton Garden Suburb, the cross boundary development between Basildon and Brentwood Boroughs. Page 138 of the Draft Local Plan sets it out as an Alternative Option to housing allocation H10 (which is set out across page 134 to 137 – which does include the existing Dunton Village), but rejected it on the grounds that Brentwood Borough Council had not carried out comparable studies to Basildon Borough Council to determine it was a suitable location for development.		Advised Basildon still have a legal duty to co-operate with Brentwood Council. Also possible subject to various details/agreements it is possible that the joint Dunton Garden Suburb project could be resurrected!
HEALTH CENTRES/ Basildon Hospital				An on-site GP surgery No details of when! Laindon Health Centre No spaces! BASILDON HOSPITAL Advised the Hospital and mental health units are run by 2 separate organisations. Advised developers not allowed to give any funds, NHS responsibility, however can give to expand car park. DEVELOPERS – should therefore, pay for additional land and 200 parking spaces! Other developers in District should also be charged! Currently at times hard to find a space anywhere, (Driving round for ages). MAJOR PROBLEM – Hospital has Black Days now – so how will it cope with increased population and increased costs?
CHURCH				Advised Not allowed.
COUNCIL TAX		Understand expect yearly costs of major developments to be self-financing after 15 years, BUT IN THE CASE OF DUNTON HILLS GARDEN VILLAGE Basildon residents to pay for, year on year		2018 DUNTON LARGE NEW TOWN NOTED: Council Tax Increase, Reduced Services & Severe Problems will be caused by DUNTON HILLS GARDEN VILLAGE. Also government cuts, so services may well be affected! Should/WILL developers cover/be charged at least part of this cost? Informed agricultural land £40,000 per acre building land say £1,000,000 per acre is this correct?
Multipurpose COMMUNITY HALLS		20th February 2016 TBA – as information not in report.		Hopefully Council will advise before closing date for comments! 24th March 2016
Landscaping Public Open Space Parkland & Water Features & Associated Ancillary Services		A new strategic open space (Not a new open space) as well as sports facilities relocated from elsewhere in Basildon. There are also requirements for the development to be landscaped with wildlife areas and drainage upgrades.		Advised details to be in Final Local Plan in due course. Details should have been included regarding Wildlife and Biodiversity. Then Essex Wildlife Trust against proposal in 2015, could give their full comments if accurate and what will development adversely effect! Also Water Features: Does this mean proper drainage not being installed to stop flooding etc.?
Industrial/Office		Policy 10a 5.5hectares of employment land to be provided by 2034
Retailing/Catering				20th February 2016 Advised few Local shops, otherwise nearest shopping centre at Laindon.
LOWER THAMES CROSSING		Highways England proposals:Which option does the council support? Basildon Council are fully aware of the proposals. Which option will Brentwood Council be supporting, as they consider out of area?		20th February 2016 Advised Basildon Council supported option ‘C’ in 2013! Have now to discuss which route, 2 – 4, they prefer. Advised first time these options given of route ‘C’. Highways England state prefer option 3, however, can they be trusted as Graham Dalton when at the Highways Agency was less than honest at times, which can be proven. Route 4 would cause further/major problems for the A127 and developments. From reports/information it appears that some MPs/Councillors decision may not be based on best route but other factors!
Pre-School/PRIMARY SCHOOLS		NO SCHOOLS UNTIL AFTER 2034 AND THEN WHEN?		20th February 2016 on-site pre-school and primary school to be provided when trigger hit – Awaiting details from Council of trigger figures . In report states after 2034! Local Schools will not be able to cope !
SECONDARY SCHOOLS		NO SCHOOLS UNTIL AFTER 2034 AND THEN WHEN?		Advised none at first as expected to use, Basildon, Billericay or Wickford spare places! 20th February 2016 Basildon will liaise with Essex County Council on this matter. Secondary school possibly could be brought forward, between 2016 and 2034!
SOIL & WATER CONTAMINATION & Flooding In reports stated this is extremely likely. How and what will Council do to ensure none of this ever happens or is it too costly? Surface water problems is noted.		SEE PAGES 285, 290 and 291 (+NE5 & NE7) of Basildon Borough Council – Draft Local Plan – January 2016 SEE Also PAGE 136 point 11.95 in Basildon Borough Council – Draft Local Plan – January 2016Land described as Fenland by Brentwood Borough Council (Meaning a low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land/covered by shallow water) Liable to flooding Basildon Borough Council note the problems MAJOR PROBLEMS WILL DRAINAGE UPGRADES deal with ALL these points and stop them happening? FULL DETAILS NOT PROVIDED, does this mean site not cost effective but will proceed by not having full correct works carried out?		The cost to overcome water/soil contamination and flooding appears to mean this site is totally unviable, but then the councils can give permission without the necessary proper drainage and water installation facilities/works to be carried out SERIOUS/MAJOR PROBLEMs SOIL and WATER CONTAMINATION: Advised responsibility of Land Local Flood Authority (Essex County Council). VERIFICATION/CONFIRMATION is needed from ALL PARTIES Councils/Organisations that any/all appropriate work will be carried out to ensure that in the future: No flooding problems &/or sewage problems &/or SOIL and WATER CONTAMINATION will ever occur!
TRANSPORT & ROADS, The development will be vehicle orientated. No new Train Station		The scheme proposed a new link road will be built across fields from West Mayne to serve the site, rather than the existing Lower Dunton Road junction closer to the A127; This would need to be provided in the first phase of the development alongside junction enhancements to the A127 Dunton Interchange. MAJOR PROBLEMS No mention of: – TRAINS ROADS A127 – Southend to London Nothing mentioned about traffic jams and congestion now. Will they ensure any development at DUNTON will not exacerbate the problems? You can only widen the A127 up to near B186 towards London and hardly any distance towards Southend. Also what about other roads including the A128 Why does the Council not comment on these major problems, as will affect everyone? BUS ROUTES What arrangements have/will the Council make about ensuring suitable bus routes?		20th February 2016 (i) TRAINS Expect residents to use Laindon Station (Fenchurch Street Line) Informed: – (a) C2C train platforms can all accommodate 12 carriages but this should be confirmed by C2C in writing. (b) C2C lease rolling stock (c) C2C trains currently standing room only, so they need to confirm can meet increased demand and advise how it will be done. (ii) A127 Only mentions junction at Dunton in report. Advised Essex County Council responsibility so they need to answer the following: – (a) Informed maybe widened to 3 lanes each way from A130 to B186. If so what properties/industrial units will have to be demolished? What about Fortune of War junction? (b) What are the alternatives to (a)? (c) Will any alterations only improve the A127 a short distance e.g. up to B186 & down to near the Fortune of War roundabout? (d) How will the major traffic jams/congestion be dealt with as acknowledged at the James Hornsby School meeting on March 12th 2015? Advised Council only comments on roads in Borough but would have thought should also comment on problems caused for its residents nearby!

LINKS to Basildon Councils website: –
Local Plan statutory consultation documents: http://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/2009/Local-Plan-2014—2034
Evidence/ Research: http://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/2155/Local-Plan—Evidence-Base