Residents meet to oppose Bengeo homes plan

Plans to build 100 new homes on a green field site north of Bengeo will be discussed at a public meeting on Thursday 1st December at Bengeo Primary School.

Durkan Homes are expected to submit a planning application to build 100 homes on the Bengeo Field site before the end of the year.

In 2018, the Bengeo community conducted a successful campaign to Stop Bengeo Quarry, ensuring an application for gravel extraction on Bengeo Field was outrightly rejected.

The community has again come together to defend the field and under the banner Save Bengeo Field are collectively demonstrating local opposition to any further development.

The site is allocated for housing in the District Plan, which was adopted in 2018 following a public enquiry. However, development is conditional on prior extraction of sand and gravel. As the proposal to extract gravel is no longer relevant, the group believe any development on the field is no longer appropriate.

Spokesperson Aska Pickering said: "We worked hard to save Bengeo Field from quarrying. We strongly believe any new development on the field is not appropriate for this location - it has been objectively found to be of exceptional value by the Planning Inspector and Secretary of State in the last public inquiry. Together we can save Bengeo Field for our children, and generations beyond, to enjoy forever."

The campaign is highlighting a number of concerns, chief being to protect the landscape and amenity. The group state walkers, pedestrians and sports people have enjoyed the landscape for hundreds of years and this can clearly be seen by severely worn pathways. The group cite the running app Strava's heatmap showing 'restricted byway 1' is the most popular path in Bengeo for running. A recent survey, with 480 respondents, showed over 75% use the field at least once per month for a variety of activities and 40% saying they use the field more now than they did 6 months ago.

Along with the threat to amenity, there are other concerns over the lack of infrastructure, school places, road safety and water and drainage capacity.

Local residents opposed to the development can attend the meeting at Bengeo Primary School SG14 3DX at 7pm on Thursday 1st December 2022. Speakers will outline the planning application processes, timelines, and how objections can be raised against the development.