Latest posts
Our designated Ancient Landscape is under threat.
Help save our Green Lung from urban development.
Protect our Green Lung:
Save Mount Bovers from Development.
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A Community Walk for Great Big Green Week
Celebrating Nature Together: A Community Walk for Great Big Green Week. Last night, on Tuesday 10th June, over 100 residents from Hawkwell, Hockley, and Rochford came together to take part in a special community walk in celebration of The Great Big Green Week—the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect…
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Hawkwell Parish Poll
Hawkwell Parish Poll 13th June, 4pm – 9pm Please see below information received from the District Council regarding the polling station locations. Residents should vote at their usual polling station and take their photo ID, as is the requirement for voting now. For any other information, it may best to direct questions to the RDC…
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Undermining Strategic Commitments to the Upper Roach Valley
I recently read about concerns over the District’s housing targets in a newsletter from Rochford District Conservatives Group and how they would like to see Rochford District’s Councillors “put up a fight for our locals”. Having recently emailed all District Councillors regarding my concerns over the proposed development at Mount Bovers, I received very little…
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Community Walk
Join Us for a Community Walk – Protect Our Green Lung! As part of #GreatBigGreenWeek, we’re inviting residents to a Community Walk on Tuesday 10th June through the beautiful Green-lung area of Mount Bovers — a vital stretch of Greenbelt land under threat from development. Walk Route: Follow the blue line on the map below…
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Save Mount Bovers Community Group
Our Group was formed in response to the proposed development of 350 homes by Taylor Wimpey on land between Mount Bovers Lane and Gusted Hall Lane. The proposed site’s natural open space and recognised sensitive character forms a vital part of our community’s well-being and is under threat from inappropriate and unsustainable development. Beyond the…
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Community Spirit in Action – Hawkwell Parish Poll
Today we witnessed a wonderful display of community spirit, as local residents gave their valuable time to raise awareness about the upcoming Parish Poll, being held by Hawkwell Parish Council at the request of residents calling for a Neighbourhood Plan to be implemented. This is true grassroots democracy in motion – people coming together to…
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Hawkwell Residents Community Announcement
Following a recent Parish Meeting attended by a large gathering of Hawkwell residents a vote was taken to force the local council to hold a “Parish Poll” As residents, the forthcoming Poll gives us ALL the opportunity to say YES to the creation a Neighbourhood Plan which will help form the basis of future plans…
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Through the Lens: A Photographer’s Love Letter to Hockley’s Wild Heart
For the past 20 years, I’ve called Hockley home—a place that continues to surprise and inspire me every time I step outside with my camera in hand. Nestled in Essex, Hockley is more than just a village to me; it’s a living, breathing canvas of natural beauty, where the woodlands and winding paths reveal something…
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Community Walk and Talk
Standing Together for Mount Bovers. Today’s community Walk and Talk took us through the beautiful green space of Mount Bovers — a vital green lung used regularly by local walking groups, families, and nature lovers. This isn’t just land; it’s part of our community’s wellbeing and identity. Development here would be a loss we can’t…
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Mount Bovers Walk
This is no ordinary bee, this is ‘Bover’ an inhabitant at Mount Bovers, who will potentially lose its home if the Wimpey housing development goes ahead I had a beautiful walk there today, saw lots of bees and butterflies, it will indeed be a shame to lose this green space locally. There are many varieties…
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Hidden Archaeological Gems of the Upper Roach Valley
Unearthing the Past: Hidden Archaeological Gems of the Upper Roach Valley The Upper Roach Valley, a place often celebrated for its natural beauty and tranquil landscapes, might not immediately spring to mind when one thinks of prominent archaeological sites. Indeed, as the Historic Environment Characterisation Project notes, few such sites have been formally identified within…
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Discovering the Upper Roach Valley
Nestled within the District of Rochford, Essex, lies the enchanting Upper Roach Valley, a landscape rich in history, natural beauty, and biodiversity. This expansive “green lung,” as it’s often described, is bordered by the bustling towns of Rayleigh, Hockley, Rochford, and Southend-on-Sea, offering a tranquil escape from urban life. A Landscape of Distinction The Upper…
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Threat to Nesting Birds
An absolute travesty is unfolding on Mount Bovers Field. A tractor was seen mowing down vegetation in an area known to be home to nesting Skylarks — a protected and declining species. The destruction of this precious habitat during breeding season is not only deeply upsetting, but potentially unlawful.
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Public Consultation Event
Today, Taylor Wimpey (TW) held a public consultation event regarding their proposed development at Mount Bovers Lane, Hawkwell. This site, located within Rochford District Council’s designated ‘Green Lung’ area, is Green Belt land currently protected under the Council’s Core Strategy Plan. As such, the proposal has generated significant local interest and concern. The consultation was…
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Amos Estates Help Raise Awareness
Our community stall was used on Saturday by concerned residents highlighting proposals to build 350 properties on Green belt in Hawkwell. The developer is holding an information meeting TODAY Monday 28th April 3-7pm at Belchamps scouting centre. Taylor-Wimpey are planning to develop 350 houses on the field between Mount Bovers and Gusted Hall Lane.
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Plan to Develop Green Belt
The Southend Echo print details of public consultation for 350 homes by Taylor Wimpey
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Threat to our Green Lung
The Taylor Wimpey proposed housing development between Mount Bovers Lane and Gusted Hall Lane of up to 350 homes is located well within the protected boundary of our precious Upper Roach Valley, a designated Special Landscape Area and vital “Green Lung” and is facing a major threat! This proposed development will jeopardise its sensitive landscape, ecological value, and our…
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EIA Planning Submission
Taylor Wimpey London submits a screening request to Rochford District Council for an Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Signs of Development
Activity today on Land south of Mount Bovers Lane. Suggests planning application is imminent.
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Call for Sites
Quote from RDC officers, “Re Mount Bovers Officers said, “there are no current planning applications for the site.” After some considerable digging. Research shows the map attached. CFS 074 is on the map which shows 22 hectares of land. (Bottom left). At this stage it is not on the’Call for sites’ stage. I believe there…