The District Council election for Rochford Ward is perhaps the most intriguing of the lot.
Sitting Conservative Councillor Keith Gordon is one of four candidates – the others are Richard Amner (standing as an independent) , Rob Brown (Labour) and Paul Scott (Green).
There is a lot of unease in Rochford – not only about the proposed housing along Hall Road but other issues as well. People whom you might have expected to support the Tories here have made it clear to us that they no longer do so.
This used be a Labour-held ward – though towards the end that depended a lot on the personal vote for Maureen Vince. Their new candidate has a Hockley address, which may not help them.
The Greens can make a very serious challenge here – if they have enough leafletters to get their message across.
The real shock here is Richard Amner standing as an independent. The local Conservatives were not expecting this. It’s difficult to see how his candidature will affect things. Rochford is a big ward , does Richard have enough organisation behind him to affect the result?
Perhaps the big election issue here is whether the local Conservatives kept people informed about the housing proposed .
If you look at the last round of consultations:
Land north of London Road, Rayleigh – 550 dwellings between 2015 and 2021.
203 responses regarding the general location. None in favour, 7 comments , 196 objections.
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West Rochford – 450 dwellings before 2015, 150 more between 2015 and 2021
23 responses regarding the general location. None in favour, 7 comments, 16 objections.
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West Hockley – 50 dwellings before 2015
496 responses regarding the general location. None in favour 15 comments 481 objections.
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South Hawkwell – 175 dwellings before 2015
25 responses regarding the general location. None in favour, 10 comments, 15 objections.
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East Ashingdon – 100 dwellings before 2015
83 responses regarding the general location. None in favour. 11 comments, 72 objections.
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South-West Hullbridge – 250 dwellings between 2015 and 2021, 250 more after 2021
891 responses regarding the general location. 4 in favour 20, comments, 867 objections.
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South Canewdon – 60 dwellings between 2015 and 2021
20 responses regarding the general location. 1 in favour , 5 comments, 14 objections.
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South East Ashingdon, 500 after 2021
24 responses regarding the general location. 2 in favour 2 comments, 20 objections.
Only 23 responses from West Rochford? Very small compared to Rayleigh and Hullbridge.