Representation by Mr & Mrs Whittle (Mr & Mrs Whittle)
- Date submitted
- 3 November 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The DCO application proposes the permanent acquisition of part and temporary use as a haul road of part of the rear garden of The Hollies, a detached residential property accessed from Maldon Road. The permanent acquisition of plot 8/19a is required for widening of the carriageway, installation of noise barrier and diversion of utilities. Plot 8/19b will be acquired as Replacement Land. Temporary use of plot 8/19d is required for use as a haul road. There is going to be a reinforced earth retaining wall along the A12 mainline and a haul route which will be used to transport earthworks material through the rear garden of the Hollies for the embankment widening between J21 and J22. It is envisaged that access will be required from March 2024 with works taking approximately 3 years. It is also understood that utility diversion works may be required sooner although further details are awaited. Efforts to acquire by agreement No offer of compensation has been made for acquisition of the permanent land and injurious affection to the retained property. Nor have any negotiations taken place for the use of the part of the garden that is required on a temporary basis. Screening from noise and light Confirmation of the specification and appearance of the noise barrier is requested. Information is also requested about the programme for cutting down the current conifer hedge that provides noise and visual screening from the existing road and the planned duration until the installation of new screening. More information is requested about the noise impact of the scheme during construction and when the project is completed. Will any noise insulation to the property be offered? Assurance is sought that the property will not be affected by light pollution during construction or from the completed project. Privacy and security Will privacy screening be used? The garden slopes down towards the house so it seems possible that people working in the acquired or temporarily used area will be able to look straight into the upper windows of the house. This also seems a potential problem in the long term as the acquisition of a significant portion of the garden as ‘replacement land’ to provide open space will introduce a flow of people to the rear of the property. Assurance is sought about what methods will be used to ensure privacy and security are maintained. Working hours Assurance is requested that only reasonable day time working hours will be kept unless for exceptional reasons. If night-time working is required will rehousing be offered? Vehicle movements It is understood that the land very close to the rear of the property will be used as a haul road. The occupants of the property include children. Confirmation of the frequency and type of vehicle movements is requested, as well as assurance about measures that will be taken to minimise dust and vibration and to ensure safety. Reinstatement Assurance is requested that existing garden areas that will be used temporarily will be reinstated to a suitable condition, including landscaping, reprovision of topsoil and planting. Conclusion The freeholders object to the acquisition of a significant proportion of the garden land for the provision of replacement open space. The freeholders object to the use of compulsory purchase powers without meaningful attempts to acquire either permanent or temporary rights by agreement. The freeholders request reassurance about the measures that will be taken to protect the property from the impacts of construction noise, vibration, light and dust as well as noise and light from the completed scheme. The freeholders request reassurance about security and privacy from the conversion of part of the garden to a public thoroughfare. The freeholders believe that the cumulative impact of the works will be so severe that they would like the acquiring authority to consider acquisition of the whole property.