Campaign Newsletter – 29 October 2024
10,000 Objections Logged & Legal Case Strengthens
📣 Campaign Newsletter – 17 September 2024
📣 Campaign Newsletter – 29 October 2024
The fight continues — and community strength is rising.
In this issue:
– Over 10,000 objections confirmed
– Legal strategy advances with King’s Counsel
– 42% of fundraising target achieved
– NPPF policy updates strengthen our position
– Events and action coming soon
📎 Download PDF version of this newsletterhttps://notohammondsfarm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Campaign-20241029.pdf
Join the Fight: Oppose Hammonds Farm Development!
Dear Supporters
While it might feel like things have slowed down, our fight against Hammonds Farm is more active than ever! The No To Hammonds Farm Working Group has been diligently meeting to strategise our next moves, and we will be calling on your passion and commitment to keep the pressure on Chelmsford City Council (CCC) in the months to come.
Major Milestone Achieved – Pat Yourselves on the Back!
We are thrilled to announce that over 10,000 objections against Hammonds Farm and the Pigeon Industrial Development have been received and officially acknowledged by Chelmsford City Council (CCC)! This monumental response underscores the community’s determination to protect our green spaces and quality of life. Your voice matters! Each objection contributes significantly to shaping CCC’s decisions as we prepare for the third and final consultation, expected to kick off in January 2025.
Your Action Will Be Needed Again in January!
If you objected during the last round, we will need you to step up and do it all again! Plus, we’re counting on you to bring in more supporters. Talk to your friends, neighbours, and family — let them know how critical this is! Every single objection strengthens our position and shows CCC that our community will not back down.
We will be holding public meetings around the parishes as soon as the consultation opens to update and instruct you on how best to object. In the meantime, we will keep you informed if there are any updates or changes coming from CCC.
Watch this space!
💷 Fundraising Update!
Thanks to your amazing support, we managed to raise £23,145, which is 42% of our £55,000 target! These funds are crucial for covering essential legal costs, environmental surveys, and expert witness testimony.
If you haven’t contributed yet, please consider donating through our website:
🔗 www.notohammondsfarm.co.uk
Or directly to our GoFundMe page:
🔗 GoFundMe – No To Hammonds Farm
Alternatively, you can donate directly by bank transfer:
Sort Code: 23-05-80
Account Number: 50822067
Payee: Little Baddow Parish Council
(Please write “Hammonds Farm donation” on the back of cheques)
📮 Send cheques to:
The Clerk
Little Baddow Parish Council
The Memorial Hall
North Hill
Little Baddow
CM3 4TA
🎟 Join Us for Upcoming Events!
We’re excited to announce that we will be holding several fundraising events around the parishes, including quiz nights, wine tastings, and more! These gatherings are not just about raising funds—they’re a chance to rally our community and show our strength.
Stay tuned for event details on our social media channels and website — and bring your friends! Let’s make these events unforgettable.
⚖️ Strengthening Our Legal Case
We have appointed a King’s Counsel (KC) with extensive expertise in Planning Law to fortify our case. After numerous meetings with us and a thorough tour of the site and surrounding areas, he believes we have a strong case against CCC. With his guidance, we will prepare comprehensive legal objections, ensuring our concerns are front and centre throughout the planning process.
📜 Key Changes in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Recent proposed changes to the NPPF could provide us with solid ground for opposition. Here’s how they could work in our favour:
- 🏞 “Grey Belt” Land Designation – The new criteria restrict development in areas with significant environmental value. Hammonds Farm’s rich ecology makes it a strong candidate for protection.
- 🧩 Community Benefits Requirement – If the project fails to deliver genuine benefits to our local community, we have a powerful argument for objection.
- 🏙 Emphasis on Sustainable Development – The updated policies promote high-density projects in established areas, which undermines the case for a sprawling development like Hammonds Farm in our rural setting.
- 🏘 Affordable Housing Standards – New targets for genuinely affordable housing must be met. If Hammonds Farm doesn’t satisfy these requirements, it can be rejected.
- 📢 Enhanced Local Consultation Requirements – Our extensive list of objections, backed by community voices, can compel CCC to reassess Hammonds Farm’s viability as part of the local plan.
🧾 Recap on the Proposal
- 16a – Hammonds Farm consists of a new garden community of 3,100 houses and 500,000 sq ft of industrial and business park.
- 16b – Pigeon (Columba Park) involves an additional 500,000 sq ft for business park and industrial site development.
This massive development will forever alter the character of our region.
💚 Thank You for Your Support
Our collective efforts are vital in standing up to the unsustainable proposed Hammonds Farm and Pigeon developments.
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the future of Hammonds Farm is decided with the best interests of our residents in mind.
This is a pivotal moment for our community, and your continued support is crucial. Let’s keep up the momentum and show Chelmsford City Council that we stand united against their ill-advised decision.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to preserving the character and integrity of our local area.
Sincerely,
The No to Hammonds Farm Working Group
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