This page keeps a simple record of community updates so residents can follow the full timeline of the Save Greensward Green Belt campaign.
Rochford Council has started its consultation on the Local Plan — the vision for our community for the next 15 years and beyond.
The land next to ancient Beckney Woods is included within this plan, so please take the time to provide your feedback.
View the Local Plan consultation →Members of the community came together to raise funds for the campaign and had a great evening of quizzing and raffle prizes. A team from the Save Mount Bovers community group came along and won it 😊.
An amazing £1,450 was raised which will help fund the campaign to fight this unsustainable development.
A big thank you goes to everyone who attended and to the team that did a great job organising it. Keep an eye out for the next quiz night soon.
The SGGB community petition has now reached over 1,700 signatures. It demonstrates the huge concern the community has to this unsustainable scheme adjacent to ancient Beckney Woodlands and Malvern Road in Hockley.
The petition has now been handed in to the council so the council can see for themselves the strength of public opinion. See a photo of the campaigners handing the petition over to Councillor Belton, leader of our District Council.
Ward Councillor Mike Carter recently met with members of the Save Greensward Green Belt core team to hear residents’ concerns about the proposed development at Beckney Woods, Malvern Road and Greensward Lane.
The discussion focused on local impacts including traffic congestion, pressure on schools and GP services, drainage and sewage capacity, flood risk, and the effect on ancient woodland and wildlife.
Following the meeting, Cllr Carter issued a statement expressing support for protecting this green belt land and urging the planning authority to reject the proposal.
Support for protecting the Greensward Green Belt continues to grow. The community petition opposing the proposed development has now reached over 1,600 signatures — a clear sign of the strength of feeling among residents.
Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared, and helped raise awareness. Every signature helps show how important this land is to our community.
Read on Facebook →We’re seeing care homes included alongside large housing schemes across Rochford. Some residents are questioning whether this reflects immediate local need, or whether it helps strengthen wider development proposals.
Rochford currently has 7 residential and 2 nursing care homes. Reported bed occupancy (Mar 2025) is around 68%, the lowest rate in Essex.
Question: with demand expected to grow over time, do we need two new care homes right now?
Read the full post on Facebook →Early next week, volunteers will be delivering campaign leaflets to homes in our area – please keep an eye out for them.
The leaflet explains more about our campaign and, on the reverse, there is a window poster you can display to show your support in protecting our Greensward Green belt.
Very soon we will also launch a fundraising page to help cover the costs associated with fighting this application. Any contribution will be very gratefully received.
At our most recent meeting, 11 local residents came together to ask detailed questions about the green belt proposals – including traffic, school places, GP capacity and how decisions are really being made. Together we agreed next steps, including coordinated objections and taking our concerns directly to councillors.
Takeaway: residents are organised, informed and actively challenging the plans.
Read on Facebook →Many residents are questioning why the council is pouring so much time, money and effort into pushing this scheme forward – despite clear opposition from the community. People want to know why this energy isn’t being used to address real issues faced by local families.
Concern: are our voices being heard, or are the plans being forced through regardless?
Read on Facebook →
