Campaign Newsletter – 24 January 2025
£28,807 Raised and a Huge Year Ahead
📣 Campaign Newsletter – 24 January 2025
📍 Pigeon Ltd submits planning app for 500,000 sq ft of warehouses.
In this issue:
– New Outline Planning Application: 24/01768/OUT
– Objection deadline: 21 February 2025
– Flood risk, biodiversity loss, and traffic chaos
– Public meeting 5 Feb at Sandon Village Hall
https://notohammondsfarm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Campaign-20250124.pdf📎 Download PDF version of this newsletter
Dear Supporters,
Colossal Industrial Warehouses in Sandon, Chelmsford — Objections urgently needed.
A highly controversial Outline Planning Application has been submitted by Pigeon Investment Management for a 500,000 sq ft industrial and warehousing site south of the A414 at junction 18 of the A12 in Sandon.
This proposal is linked to Local Plan site 16b but has been submitted early and independently, raising major concerns about the integrity of Chelmsford City Council’s Local Plan process.
❌ Why We Oppose It
- Flood Risk
The site lies near Sandon Brook, already prone to flooding. Development will exacerbate risk and increase pollution. Mitigation plans are inadequate. - Biodiversity Destruction
The area supports recovering habitats and wildlife. The industrial site would irreparably damage local ecosystems. - Traffic Chaos
The A414 and A12 are at capacity. This development would bring unacceptable increases in congestion, pollution, and accidents. - Inadequate Infrastructure
No capacity in local road or public transport networks. Delays and gridlock are already the norm. - Cumulative Impact with Hammonds Farm
This site sits opposite Hammonds Farm, which proposes 3,000+ homes and more commercial units. Combined impact has not been assessed and would be catastrophic.
🛑 How to Object
🖱 Online via our website:
Visit notohammondsfarm.co.uk/PigeonOPP
Fill in the form and click submit. You can submit more than one objection.
🖱 Via Chelmsford City Council Portal:
Search for Planning Ref: 24/01768/OUT on the Planning Portal.
📨 Spread the word:
Share this email, speak to neighbours, and urge others to object.
📍 Public Meeting:
🗓 5 February at 7:30PM
📍 Sandon Village Hall, Woodhill Road, CM2 7SQ
Come and find out more or get help submitting your objection.
🧾 Recap on the Proposal
- 📌 Site: Junction 18, A414/A12, Sandon
- 🏗 Developer: Pigeon (Columba Park)
- 🏢 Proposal: 500,000 sq ft business park / warehousing
- 🔁 Directly linked to 16b in the Local Plan
- 📅 Objection deadline: 21 February 2025
💬 Final Word
The No To Hammonds Farm Group — a coalition of residents and parish councils from Sandon, Little Baddow, Danbury, and Boreham — has retained King’s Counsel (KC) and is actively preparing a legal response.
This application could define the future of our area. Stand with us.
—
The No to Hammonds Farm Working Group
🔗 www.notohammondsfarm.co.uk
