Thousands of residents across Southend and Rochford will be affected by emerging plans to build 10,000 homes on Green Belt land — plans that were kept from the public and submitted as an Expression of Interest to central Government without consultation. Communities around Bournes Green Chase, St Luke’s, and St Laurence face increased traffic, pressure on schools and GP surgeries, and the permanent loss of natural space.

If these proposals move forward, we could see 20,000 more cars on our roads with no infrastructure to support them. Once our Green Belt is gone, it’s gone for good. Residents will be left with the consequences of decisions made behind closed doors.

Now is the time to act. The Expression of Interest has been submitted, but nothing is final — and public pressure can still make a real difference. We call on councillors from all parties to reject this secretive process and demand full consultation with the people they were elected to represent.