Decision due on estate plans (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Decision due on estate plans

4:19pm Thursday 22nd October 2009

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CONTROVERSIAL plans for a huge new housing development are due to go under the microscope next week.

Developers want to build almost 400 homes on the outskirts of Clacton but protesters say it will create a massive social housing "ghetto".

John Mills, whose family have lived in Bockings Elm for 60 years, fears the development will become a sink estate.

"It will be a ghetto - it's frightening," he said.

"Clacton is being mugged. The whole nature of Bockings Elm will change because you will have 1,000 people dumped here.

"It's a crazy situation."

The development is being planned in two stages. The Bloor Homes proposals are due to go before Tendring Council next Tuesday.

But Mr Mills says packing the new estate with social housing will turn it into a "slum".

"You'll have all these people on housing benefit that don't work or have any pride in their properties because they don't own them.

"They'll sleep most of the day and they'll be up all night.

"We'll have burnt-out cars - don't tell me it's not going to happen."

He says the development could even hit tourism if it get the go-ahead.

He says extra traffic could bring St John's Road to a standstill, creating havoc for traffic trying to reach the busy holiday parks on the coast.

"They won't come if they think it's going to take 30-45 minutes to get through a blackspot like this," he said.

Residents put placards bearing anti-estate slogans outside their houses when planners were due to visit the site this week.

BEAR - Bockings Elm Active Residents - campaigners claim the development won't even lead to a local jobs boost, with most construction firms coming from outside the area.

"If the worst comes to the worst and they decide to build, there won't be a single job for Clacton people," said Mr Mills.

"They'll leave behind a sink estate and we are going to suffer."

• Tuesday's meeting take place at the council's offices in Weeley at 7pm.

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