Firstly, before we continue. I am a socialist on the left wing and have never voted Conservative, and could never be so stupid as to vote for Farage and his bunch.
I now live in Billericay, and I really like it. Billericay High street needs to update its barriers to disability, i.e. remove some of the many steps into the shops and upstairs surgeries; but it is a nice place, and has a Waitrose superstore. It also has brilliant schools, and doctor surgeries etc.
BUT, There is now a Labour group in charge of the Basildon Council who appear to be doing everything they can to de-stabilize the living in Billericay, and remove all green belt, and merge Billericay into neighbouring towns, and basically remove the identity of the town. In a small way this would be acceptable eventually, but they seem to think they can apply the same rules to every bit of green belt land around Billericay, and this is where they have missed the point, as you no doubt realise they are not actually very intelligent at all, but actually a bit nice BUT DIM.
What’s Going on Locally (Billericay / Basildon)
- Big Local Housing Target
- Basildon Council’s emerging Local Plan is proposing 27,111 new homes over 20 years. Basildon and Billericay Nub News+1
- To hit that, they estimate that around 16,928 homes could come from Green Belt land. Basildon and Billericay Nub News
- According to Billericay Action Group, this means “considerable areas of the Green Belt” could be released. Billericay Action Group+2Billericay Action Group+2
- Green Belt Study Underway
- Basildon Council commissioned a new Green Belt Study (by LUC) in 2023 to assess how different parcels of Green Belt perform. Billericay Action Group
- Billericay Action Group criticises this study: they argue it’s more “desk-based” and less rigorous than a previous 2017 review, and that some “prime” Green Belt land (e.g., farmland) is being rated as lower importance. Billericay Action Group+1
- According to BAG, when the Council defines its “grey belt,” it’s not fully mapping it out yet in the policy map. Billericay Action Group+1
- Public Consultation
- Basildon Council ran a Regulation 18 consultation (i.e. early stage) on the draft Local Plan from November 2024 to January 2025. Billericay Action Group
- According to BAG, they will define grey belt in the Policies Map of the Local Plan. Billericay Action Group
- A third consultation (Reg 18) is due 28 Nov 2025 – 16 Jan 2026. Billericay Action Group
- Specific Threats in Billericay
- There is a proposed site called H1 – South-East Billericay (in BAG’s site guide) that is currently Green Belt but is under threat for development. Billericay Action Group
- There’s already planning permission for 130 homes on green belt land to the south of London Road, Billericay. Basildon and Billericay Nub News
- Also, a 250-home estate is being proposed on Green Belt land off Laindon Road, Billericay. Basildon and Billericay Nub News+1
- The Billericay Town Council is objecting, citing “insufficient special circumstances” to justify the designations and lack of infrastructure. billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk
Risks & What This Means for Billericay Residents
- Significant Green Belt Loss: If a lot of the proposed 17,000+ homes on Green Belt go ahead, this could change the “green feel” around Billericay substantially.
- Infrastructure Pressure: Residents and local councils are worried about infrastructure (roads, GPs, schools) not keeping up with development. Yellow Advertiser+1
- Local Council Power: Basildon Council’s Local Plan decisions will be crucial. If they designate “grey belt” land (i.e. less critical Green Belt) for development, that paves the way for more houses. But these changes also need “exceptional circumstances” justification.
- Community Involvement: This is a very important time for local residents to engage — the public consultations give you a chance to make your voice heard.
- Uncertainty: Because the “grey belt” boundaries haven’t all been clearly defined yet by the Council, there’s a lot of uncertainty over exactly which Green Belt parcels are most at risk.
What You Can Do (if You’re Concerned)
- Respond to the Local Plan Consultation
- Make your views known when the Regulation 18 consultation is live.
- Use BAG’s site guides and map to understand which areas are being proposed for development. Billericay Action Group
- Talk to Your Town / Borough Councillors
- Raise your concerns with Billericay Town Council and your Basildon Borough councillors. They can push for stronger Green Belt protections or argue for different allocations.
- Work with Local Campaign Groups
- Groups like the Billericay Action Group are actively tracking Green Belt reviews and Local Plan progress. Billericay Action Group+1
- Joining or supporting them can strengthen the local voice.
- Monitor Planning Applications
- Keep an eye on planning applications in Billericay (especially on Green Belt sites).
- Check Basildon Council’s planning portal for new / future applications.
My Assessment
- Yes, Billericay is very much at risk from “grey belt”-style designation / Green Belt release — there are real proposals and assessments happening now.
- The next year or two (through the Local Plan process) will be critical for determining which Green Belt parcels around Billericay remain protected, and which could be released for housing.
- Community engagement (via consultations, local groups) will be important if you want to influence how much of the Green Belt is re-designated or developed.
Here is a map of all the specific Green- or Grey-Belt sites around Billericay that are under threat (based on the current draft plan.
Map & quick summary — Billericay (what’s on the table)
I’ve pulled together the current maps and evidence showing which Green-belt parcels around Billericay are being assessed / promoted for development, and where you can view and comment.
Key local sources I used
- Basildon Borough’s Emerging Local Plan / consultation hub. basildonlocalplan25.commonplace.is
- Basildon’s published evidence base, including the Basildon Green Belt Study (LUC, 2023) and related documents. Basildon Borough Council
- The Billericay Action Group (BAG) — they maintain clear site maps, downloadable PDFs and “site guides” that label the H-sites around Billericay (H1, H6, etc.). These are the most useful quick-reference maps. Billericay Action Group+1
- Basildon planning portal / e-planning, for tracking individual planning applications. Basildon Borough Council
- Example planning application documents (e.g. Land south of London Road — hybrid app for 130 homes) showing actual planning proposals on Green Belt land. Planning Portal
Which Billericay sites are shown on the maps (short list)
These names/numbers are from the Local Plan maps / BAG site guides — they’re the parcels you’ll see colour-coded on the maps:
- H1 — South-East Billericay (large strategic site shown on the Policies Map; hundreds–1,500+ homes flagged in BAG material). Billericay Action Group
- H6 — South of London Road (planning permission / proposals already exist for this parcel — app documents available). Planning Portal
- H7 / H17 / H17A / H22 / H26 — other nearby Green-belt parcels around Billericay and bordering wards (various sizes; BAG lists numbers and commentary). Billericay Action Group
- “Infill” / plotland sites noted on BAG’s maps (small parcels between settlements that have been subject to recent permissions).
How to view the official, interactive maps + documents
- Basildon Local Plan consultation (interactive map & documents) — go to the Local Plan Commonplace site to view the Policies Map and consultation materials (this is the official place to comment during consultation windows). basildonlocalplan25.commonplace.is
- Basildon Evidence Base (Green Belt Study, HELAA maps, Local Plan PDFs) — the Council’s Evidence Base page hosts the LUC Green Belt Study (2023) and the Draft Local Plan parts in PDF form. Download the PDFs for parcel boundaries and scoring. Basildon Borough Council+1
- Billericay Action Group maps & A3/A4 downloads — quick, local-focused maps showing the H-site labels and BAG commentary (handy when preparing an objection). Billericay Action Group
- Basildon e-Planning — to track/ search individual planning applications (enter a site/street to see live applications and PDFs). Basildon Borough Council
What the maps tell you (practical reading)
- The Local Plan / Green Belt Study breaks the Green Belt into parcels and scores them against the Green Belt purposes; parcels scoring low are effectively the “grey belt” candidates for release. The LUC report is the technical evidence that planners rely on. Basildon Borough Council
- BAG’s maps collate those parcels with labels (H1, H6, etc.) and show which already have applications/permissions and which are being proposed in the Draft Local Plan — useful for quickly seeing which fields/woodland are at risk. Billericay Action Group
Next steps you can take (concrete actions)
- View the interactive Policies Map on Basildon’s Local Plan Commonplace site and note the reference codes (e.g. H1, H6). Submit comments during the consultation on any site you oppose/support. basildonlocalplan25.commonplace.is
- Download the BAG A3 maps (easy to print and show neighbours) and use them to identify affected streets/footpaths/green spaces. Billericay Action Group
- Track live planning applications on Basildon’s e-Planning if a developer has submitted an independent application (not just Local Plan allocation). Basildon Borough Council
- Write a focussed objection: highlight local harms (traffic, school/GP capacity, harm to specific woods / biodiversity), refer to the LUC Green Belt scoring where you think it’s weak, and ask the Council to retain the parcel in the Green Belt. I can draft a template objection for you (wording and bullet points) you can submit directly. Basildon Borough Council+1
Want me to do any of the following now?
- Put together a table with each H-site near Billericay, hectares, proposed dwellings (from the Draft Local Plan / BAG) and a one-line status (allocated / planning app / permission).
- Draft a printable objection template you can copy into the Commonplace comment box or into an email to your ward councillor.
- Mark up a map around a particular street or property (e.g. your house) so you can see exactly which proposed allocation is nearest.
Suggestion :
Green Belt / Grey Belt Objection Letter Template
(Printable template – customise with your details)
Your Name
Your Address
Postcode
Email Address
Telephone (optional)
Date: ____________________
To:
Planning Policy Team
Basildon Borough Council
The Basildon Centre
St. Martin’s Square
Basildon
SS14 1DL
Subject: Formal Objection to Proposed Development on Green Belt / Grey Belt Land in Billericay
Dear Sir / Madam,
I am writing to submit a formal objection to the proposed development on Green Belt (or newly classified “grey belt”) land in and around Billericay, as outlined in the current draft of the Local Plan.
1. Failure to Meet Green Belt Policy Tests
The proposed release of this land does not satisfy the required “exceptional circumstances” as defined within national planning policy. The Green Belt in this area continues to fulfil its core purposes, including:
- Preventing urban sprawl,
- Protecting the character of Billericay as a distinct settlement,
- Safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.
The Council’s own assessments have not convincingly demonstrated that these purposes are diminished to the extent required for reclassification or release.
2. Inadequate Infrastructure Capacity
Local infrastructure in Billericay is already under significant pressure. The following areas show no viable plan for sustainable expansion:
- Highways and congestion, especially at peak times,
- Primary and secondary school places, which are at or near capacity,
- GP and healthcare services, where residents already face long waits,
- Public transport limitations, including rail overcrowding.
The development would impose a substantial burden on infrastructure that is already struggling to meet current demand.
3. Loss of Biodiversity and Environmental Harm
The proposed site(s) support a range of wildlife, mature hedgerows, and established natural habitats. Development would result in:
- Irreversible loss of green space,
- Destruction of ecosystems,
- Increased pollution and reduced air quality.
There is no sufficient mitigation plan to offset these harms.
4. Lack of Sustainable Transport Links
National policy requires that major development be located in sustainable, accessible areas. The affected sites in Billericay:
- Are poorly served by public transport,
- Encourage car dependency,
- Contradict aims to reduce emissions.
Development here would therefore be unsustainable.
5. Alternative Sites Have Not Been Fully Exhausted
National planning guidance requires a sequential approach, prioritising:
- Brownfield land,
- Underutilised urban areas,
- Grey belt only where appropriate.
There is insufficient evidence that all brownfield options within the borough have been properly explored or maximised.
6. Impact on Local Character and Community
Billericay’s semi‑rural character is central to its identity. Overdevelopment would:
- Erode local heritage,
- Intensify urbanisation,
- Negatively affect the wellbeing of residents.
This scale of change is not proportionate to the town’s capacity.
Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, I strongly object to the proposed release and development of Green Belt / grey belt land in Billericay. The proposal fails key planning tests, lacks evidence of sustainable delivery, and would cause significant harm to both the environment and the community.
I request that Basildon Borough Council withdraw these sites from the Local Plan and prioritise alternatives that align better with national policy and local needs.
Thank you for considering my representation.
Yours faithfully,
__________________________________
(Signature – if printing)
Name: __________________________