Speaking today Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois welcomed the decision by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Rt Hon. Eric Pickles MP to reject the appeals by developers to develop land at Coombes Farm in Stambridge and the Christmas Tree Farm site in Hawkwell respectively.
Speaking about the decision Mark Francois said:
“Both of these applications were highly unpopular with local residents and were opposed by their elected local councillors as well as their local MP. As someone who objected to both of these developments I am pleased that after two public enquiries, in which all the arguments were put by both sides, in each case the planning inspectors recommended in favour of Rochford District Council and local residents. I am now glad that the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Erick Pickles MP, has also rejected these appeals. This shows that local views do matter and I would like to congratulate the residents and Rochford District Council for putting together strong cases which clearly had the right effect on the Inspectors and the Secretary of State.”
