Representation by The Linford Land Group (The Linford Land Group)
- Date submitted
- 20 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Our client, The Linford Land Group (the consortium of Ockendon family members who own land at Linford) object to the Lower Thames Crossing proposals as currently proposed which would result in a loss of existing farmland, blight on existing property and create significant impacts on the planned growth of East Tilbury and Linford (East Tilbury and Linford being one of the principal strategic growth locations of the developing Thurrock Council Local Plan). Furthermore, we submit the following outline of the principal issues on behalf of our client, on which we will wish to make further representations to the Inspectorate during examination: (i) The LTC project has failed to adopt a strategic masterplanning exercise from the outset that sought to recognise the wider implications of the LTC on existing and future growth plans for South Essex; in particular engagement with landowners to consider how the LTC project could benefit the wider community and mitigate the impact and loss of farmland and land earmarked for future growth has been limited; (ii) The designation of land for ecological mitigation and its impact on existing and future land use at Linford; (iii) Alternative locations for ecological mitigation purposes that would mitigate loss of farmland and future development land; (iv) Impact on phasing of future development land proposals at East Tilbury and Linford; (v) Visual and noise impact mitigation on existing properties at Ashlea Farm and future mixed-use growth at Linford; (vi) Unspecified terms of new utility easements/wayleaves and issues of sterilised land for future development and effect on existing farming operations; (vii) Impact of temporary water supply pipeline from Linford to northern portal works area on future land use; (viii) The Tilbury Junction or an alternative means of incorporating local connections and linkages should be incorporated into the Lower Thames Crossing proposals to maximise the potential of the scheme to contribute to the wider economic objectives for Thurrock, South Essex and the Thames Estuary; (ix) Impact of land take at East Tilbury and Linford and the significant impact of LTC on the current extant planning application ref. 16/01232/OUT – a significant failing of the DCO submission in this respect is best summarised by the fact that the extant planning application has not even been referenced in 6.3 Environmental Statement Appendices Appendix 16.1 Long List of Developments; (x) The A13/A1089 junction arrangement and facilitation of better local connectivity and reduced pressure on the local road network; (xi) LTC should provide objectives for providing regenerative benefits to the residents of Thurrock and, in particular, East Tilbury and Linford; (xii) Further consideration should be given to the cumulative effects. This should include the partnership-based objectives of The Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA); the growth options that form the basis of the emerging Thurrock Council Local Plan and, more specifically, those “live” planning applications that are currently moving through the planning system.