SAVE HADLEIGH FARMLAND FROM DEVELOPMENT BY THE SALVATION ARMY

Please OBJECT to the Salvation Army's secret development plan for the Farmland.

The Salvation Army have submitted a response to CPBC Local Plan Reg 19 consultation, with updated plans for the Farmland site. It involves building 900 HOMES across the site, along the London Road, up to Tattersall Gardens in Leigh, with a new roundabout. In their submission, the Salvation Army describe the local plan as unsound, and plan to offer the Farmland site as Grey Belt to the inspector, to meet the shortfall in the councils housing target. These plans show the Salvation Army’s contempt for the residents of Hadleigh and Leigh-on-Sea, as this secret proposal has clearly been ongoing, even though the site does not feature in the local plan. Our last petition reached over 8,500 signatures and thanks to all those that signed, it resulted in the site being removed from the local plan. These plans has seen significant opposition from local residents, and the neighbouring borough of Leigh-on-Sea, who argue that this project could drastically alter the landscape and character of this historically rich area.

This section of the A13 has massive congestion already, so adding a huge amount of extra vehicles will affect everyone living between Benfleet and Southend. The site plan can be revised to maximise housing and spread further, maybe linking Marine Parade in Leigh. Our group have continuously warned the council about speculative development, an unsound plan, and intervention, but have been ignored. This will affect the Salvation Army’s charitable status within Hadleigh, and their legacy, for disgracefully working on a new secret plan behind the scenes. Note, local members were not made aware of this submission, made by their Leadership, taken without humility, transparency, or genuine engagement, so it’s not just a planning issue but a moral one.

HADLEIGH is famed for its rural appeal, charmingly ambling streets, and its adherence to traditional British architecture. This historic site is also the ORIGINAL BIRTHPLACE of the Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Colony, in 1891, as part of the first General of the Salvation Army William Booth’s social reform project. The site borders on both, the Heritage England site for Hadleigh Castle, built around 1215, which was also the subject of John Constable’s famous landscape painting in 1829, and the 387-acre Hadleigh Country Park, overlooking the Thames Estuary, which hosted the 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike races.

Any development on the farmland risks disrupting this natural beauty, affecting wildlife and eroding the heritage that is much cherished by its local community. Signing this petition sends a clear message to the Salvation Army that the Hadleigh, Benfleet, Leigh and Southend residents stand in firm opposition to the destructive building plans for this area. It is time to take prompt action to ensure the preservation of the undeniable charm and historical significance that the Salvation Army Farmland, in Hadleigh holds.

We, the undersigned, call on THE SALVATION ARMY UK to accept this petition, as a request for NO BUILDING ON THE SALVATION ARMY FARMLAND, in HADLEIGH, as we STRONGLY OBJECT to any housing development on this farmland.

“The FOUNDER of the SALVATION ARMY William Booth would be turning in his grave”

We need your support again, to help save this beautiful open space from vandalism by the Salvation Army management.

To be kept updated with information, email us at savehadleighfarmland@gmail.com

Sign now to oppose any development on this site and to protect our Greenbelt and Farmland.

NO BUILDING ON THE SALVATION ARMY FARMLAND

Please note, we do NOT ask for any funding for our SHF Campaign, please SKIP the funding request, unless you want to contribute to change.org, but this money does not fund OUR campaign. We only require you to sign our petition. Thank you