Remove RO4 from draft Local Plan to protect Silverbirch Farm
The Issue
In the heart of Essex, nestled between Eastwood, Rayleigh, and Southend, lies Silverbirch Farm Alternative Provision & Animal Therapy CIC, a sanctuary that has become an essential pillar of our community. Just a few years ago, we faced the heartache of losing our original site to development, a blow that forced us to start anew. We poured our hearts, souls, and savings into rebuilding every aspect of the farm from scratch. Silverbirch Farm is more than just a business; it's a refuge offering essential services, love, and care to vulnerable children and families.
Our community provision offers vital alternative education to children who struggle in mainstream settings, fostering their learning, growth, and confidence in a supportive environment. We serve as a beacon of hope for those who need a nurturing place to thrive and belong. Furthermore, our animal therapy programs are instrumental in promoting mental health and well-being, providing therapeutic interactions that have tangible positive impacts on the lives of many.
However, the proposed inclusion of our beloved Silverbirch Farm in the draft Local Plan as site RO4 threatens to flatten everything we have built. This zoning decision endangers not only our farm but also the local wildlife that thrives in the surrounding Green Belt. This precious land plays a crucial role in maintaining the environmental health and biodiversity of the region.
We urge planning authorities to recognize the crucial role Silverbirch Farm plays in our community and to redraw the RO4 site boundary in the draft Local Plan to exclude our space. This will protect the services we provide and the natural habitat surrounding it, preserving the pivotal green corridor that separates Eastwood, Rayleigh, and Southend.
We need your voice and support to safeguard Silverbirch Farm and ensure that we do not have to start from scratch yet again. Please sign this petition to urge the local planning authorities to remove RO4 from the draft Local Plan or, at the very least, to adjust its boundaries to allow us to continue our mission - a mission that serves so many and preserves the green character of our county.
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The Issue
In the heart of Essex, nestled between Eastwood, Rayleigh, and Southend, lies Silverbirch Farm Alternative Provision & Animal Therapy CIC, a sanctuary that has become an essential pillar of our community. Just a few years ago, we faced the heartache of losing our original site to development, a blow that forced us to start anew. We poured our hearts, souls, and savings into rebuilding every aspect of the farm from scratch. Silverbirch Farm is more than just a business; it's a refuge offering essential services, love, and care to vulnerable children and families.
Our community provision offers vital alternative education to children who struggle in mainstream settings, fostering their learning, growth, and confidence in a supportive environment. We serve as a beacon of hope for those who need a nurturing place to thrive and belong. Furthermore, our animal therapy programs are instrumental in promoting mental health and well-being, providing therapeutic interactions that have tangible positive impacts on the lives of many.
However, the proposed inclusion of our beloved Silverbirch Farm in the draft Local Plan as site RO4 threatens to flatten everything we have built. This zoning decision endangers not only our farm but also the local wildlife that thrives in the surrounding Green Belt. This precious land plays a crucial role in maintaining the environmental health and biodiversity of the region.
We urge planning authorities to recognize the crucial role Silverbirch Farm plays in our community and to redraw the RO4 site boundary in the draft Local Plan to exclude our space. This will protect the services we provide and the natural habitat surrounding it, preserving the pivotal green corridor that separates Eastwood, Rayleigh, and Southend.
We need your voice and support to safeguard Silverbirch Farm and ensure that we do not have to start from scratch yet again. Please sign this petition to urge the local planning authorities to remove RO4 from the draft Local Plan or, at the very least, to adjust its boundaries to allow us to continue our mission - a mission that serves so many and preserves the green character of our county.
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Petition created on 23 September 2026