Pigeon Developments are targeting the green belt land at Beckney Woods, Malvern Road and Greensward Lane. We’re a local residents’ group in Hockley working together to stop this speculative scheme before it permanently changes our area.
Welcome to Save Greensward Green Belt.
We are neighbours from across Hockley who value the last stretch of open green belt between Beckney Woods, Malvern Road and Greensward Lane. If this land is handed over to a speculative development, the character of this part of Hockley would change forever.
Our aim is to spread awareness, share clear information and help residents respond in a way that focuses on National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) guidelines – not just “we don’t like it” comments.
We are also raising funds to support the campaign – for materials, expert advice and professional services that will strengthen the planning case for protecting this land.
A property speculator company called Pigeon Developments is drawing up plans for 90 new homes and a large 80 bed care home on the fields at Beckney Woods, Malvern Road and Greensward Lane.
Their proposal would effectively change this open green belt into a dense built-up estate – turning a countryside buffer into what many call “grey belt”.
90 homes plus an 80 bed care home means hundreds of additional residents, staff and visitors using this part of Hockley every day – all funnelling through the same local road network.
This scheme sits within a wider push as Rochford District Council prepares its Local Plan for around 15,000 new homes over the next 15 years.
Our local infrastructure is already under strain. Adding a major housing estate and a large care home on this green belt site would intensify pressures on roads, services, drainage and our ancient woodland.
These are real views from the fields, walking routes and habitats around the site – a reminder of what could be lost if this development goes ahead.
Real residents, real concerns. Here are some of the most recent updates from the Save Greensward Green belt community.
While many of us involved in the campaign understand the scale of development being proposed in the district, wider public awareness is still very low.
The government’s housing targets could see around 15,000 new homes built across our district. The Save Greensward Green Belt community group produced a leaflet earlier this year explaining the proposal and why protecting this land matters.
One side explains the campaign and the development proposal. The other side is a window poster residents can display.
The more homes that display the poster, the more awareness spreads across the community.
Download the outside window poster → Download the inside window poster →
Rochford Council has opened consultation on its new Local Plan — the document that will shape development across our district for the next 15 years and beyond.
The land next to ancient Beckney Woods forms part of this consultation, meaning residents now have the opportunity to give feedback on the proposed development.
When responding, the parcel of land relevant to the Greensward campaign is referenced as: CFS023(a).
This consultation is a key opportunity to show the council how strongly the community feels about protecting this green belt land.
Download the consultation response form (PDF) →Following the recent deferral of a major planning application due to a holding objection from London Southend Airport, Rochford District Council has confirmed that no applications will be brought before the Development Committee until the Airport’s concerns have been properly addressed or the holding objection is formally withdrawn.
This ensures decisions are not made prematurely and that Members have all relevant technical evidence before them.
Looking for earlier updates? We’re creating a simple archive so residents can follow the full timeline.
We expect Pigeon Developments to submit a formal planning application to Rochford District Council. Once it is validated, there will be a set consultation period where residents can submit objections.
Our plan is to publish plain-English guidance and a simple online tool that helps you pull together a well-structured response, grounded in the National Planning Policy Framework and local planning policies.
Use the form below so we can send you important updates about deadlines, meetings and new guidance. You can unsubscribe at any time.
