Living in the Kelvedon community, I deeply cherish the green spaces that surround our homes, providing not only beauty and tranquility but also an essential habitat for our local wildlife. The proposed development of 5,000 new homes at Kings Dene threatens to obliterate this cherished landscape, replacing it with endless concrete stretches and altering our community's character forever.

Firstly, the development poses a significant threat to our environment. The greenfield land at Kings Dene is not merely empty space; it is a vibrant ecological corridor, home to a multitude of wildlife species. Protected species such as Badgers,bats, Great Crested newts,  Yellow Hammers, Skylarks,  Barn owls  to name but a few having their destroyed  The irreversible harm to local biodiversity and habitats that this development would entail cannot be overstated. We understand the pressures for housing, but we believe strongly that such developments should not come at the cost of the environmental health and natural beauty that define our region.

Secondly, the sheer scale of the proposed project is alarming. The additional strain on our existing infrastructure is undeniable. Our roads, schools, and healthcare facilities are already stretched, and the influx of potentially thousands of new residents would only exacerbate these issues. Such an expedited development plan requires careful reconsideration, with sustainability and infrastructure truly at its core.  With both the A12 and A120 schemes being shelved and roads now at capacity through unsustainable development...such plans are at best unsound and should be rejected..

Moreover, essential services such as schools, GP surgeries, and emergency services are already stretched. The influx of thousands of new residents would place unsustainable pressure on these services, to the detriment of both new and existing residents .

Loss of Local Character and Rural Identity

The proposed Kings Dene site and the surrounding area possess a distinct rural identity and historical character that would be irreparably altered by this scale of development. A 5,000-home new town would represent a dramatic and disproportionate urbanisation of a predominantly rural area. This level of growth threatens to erode the sense of place, severing community ties and undermining the landscape setting 

Kelvedon village high street having historical conservation status, and with a high number of listed properties and churches throughout Kelvedon parish being directly affected.  Losing it's historical agricultural setting. 

This proposal fails to strike an appropriate balance between housing need and sustainable development. The environmental harm, infrastructure shortfall, and loss of rural character are significant and, in my view, unjustifiable.

I respectfully urge the planning authority to reject the Kings Dene development in its current form and to seek alternative solutions that are more in keeping with the area’s capacity, character, and long-term sustainability.

We urge the local council to thoroughly reconsider this proposal and conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment. Alternative solutions, such as urban regeneration or smaller-scale developments with proper environmental safeguards, should be explored to preserve what we value the most.

We invite everyone who shares these concerns or who values preserving wildlife and natural habitats to sign this petition. Together, we can send a strong message to decision-makers about the importance of responsible development and environmental preservation. Please join us in urging the authorities to reevaluate this proposal and protect the Kings Dene landscape that we hold dear. Sign today to make a difference.