Sustainability Appraisal

Comments from the Mersea Island Society
No local drop-exhibitions were held in West Mersea during the consultation period. This would have provided an opportunity to find out more by the planning officers. Nearby Braintree District Council for their Regulation 18 Consultation in 2025 ‘Issues and Options’ stage, held 7 community based Drop-in Exhibitions. There could have been modifications to the description of West Mersea 2.88(page 52) that present a fuller and accurate picture with regard to sustainability. Many elderly local residents do not own a mobile phone, a computer or have access to the planning portal. They do not have an email address required to register. The impact of a further 300 houses in addition to the allocation of 200 in the current local plan could have received substantially more comments about the total development pressure and sustainability if the consultation had been modified. The summary 2.88 is inadequate and in the view of the Society, has errors in it referring to the environment, shops and activity, transport and facilities.