Local Press News

More than 500 people have backed a campaign to stop hundreds of homes being built on a golf course.

Billericay and Burstead Residents’ Group was formed to block plans by the owner of Burstead Golf Club to build on part of the course, extend the grounds on to neighbouring fields, provide a new base for Billericay Town Football Club and build extra facilities for St Luke’s Hospice.

The campaigners have now set up a website and will collect signatures for a petition, in Billericay on Saturday.

Allen Last, who is spearheading the campaign said: “we will be in the High Street collecting as many names as possible. We have also set up a website to keep people informed.”

No planning application has been submitted, but the development has been proposed to Basildon Council.

The group will be outside Somerfield, from 9:30 am

To find out more, log onto www.bbrg.moonfruit.com

Article from the Billericay Weekly News, Thursday February 14, 2008

MP John Baron has thrown his weight behind a campaign to stop part of Burstead Golf Course being developed.

He has written to Basildon Council and sent more than 200 letters from his constituents objecting to plans for a housing estate.

Although no formal planning application has been submitted, architect plans have been drawn up to build homes on part of the course in Tye Common Road, Burstead, which is green belt land.

Residents have vowed to oppose any such plans if it is deemed by Government that the land could in fact be used for development in the future.

Mr Barron said "The council has confirmed no planning applications have been received.

"I have long argued that green belt development should only take place provided the majority of local people affected by such a decision are in favour of it.