The Custodians of the Chelmer Valley Floodplain
from Chelmsford's flood gates to Paper Mill Lock
Innapropriate developments are threatening the lower Chelmer Valley and chipping away at the natural floodplain protecting our homes. We formed the Custodians to challenge developers head on. The Meads cannot defend itself, help us defend it by registering your support below.
Who are we?
The "Custodians of the Chelmer Valley Floodplain" is a register of local residents who are opposed to innapropriate development of the floodplain, in line with our mandate. To become a Custodian you simply need to complete the form above.
The founding members are residents who live within or close to the Lower Chelmer Valley, who have campaigned together against a number of developments in the area, including at Manor Farm (Hopkins Homes and Redrow), and now at Chelmer Meadows (Stonebond). Our campaign efforts, through Save Sandford Mill, likely contributed to Redrow's decision to withdraw their application, and the refusal of Stonebond's application by the Planning Committee.
When Stonebond appealed the Council’s decision, we knew that we had to participate in the appeal process to ensure that flooding is given due consideration. So, we founded "The Custodians" (for short) and registered as a Rule 6 Party for the enquiry, using the alias "Custodians of the Chelmer Valley Water Meadows", to reference the area, west of the Fox & Raven, where the development is proposed.
The Rule 6 Party comprises:
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Russell Forde (Planning Consultant)
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Mike Parker (Save Sandford Mill, Chelmsflood)
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Leonora and Mark Wollner
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Phill Humm
This gives us the right to participate in the forthcoming Planning Inquiry, on an equal footing with the Council and the Developer. We will submit evidence, question witnesses, and put forward our case. Finally they will have to listen to us, and we can get the truth about flooding in this area on the Public Record.
Our mandate
The Custodians of the Chelmer Valley Floodplain* aim to raise awareness of the roles and functions served by this natural wetland in the Lower Chelmer Valley, its multifaceted benefits and the threats it is currently facing. We will support conservation efforts and compatible improvements in the Valley, whilst defending the area against innapropriate development.
* Please note we may use variations of this name from time to time if we want to focus attention of a particular part of the Valley.
Becoming a Custodian
All you need to do to become a Custodian is to complete the form at the top of the page, which will add you to our register. We will only use this list:
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To demonstrate to the Council and the Planning Inspector that residents are opposed to the development of this area.
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To keep you updated as we progress through the upcoming Planning Enquiry for the Stonebond application.
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To keep you informed about other Planning Applications threatening the area, campaigning against those, and future Planning Enquiries etc.
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To keep you updated about Chelmsflood.
As individuals we are easy to ignore. Even when we write detailed evidence filled comments on Planning Applications, as many of us have done, in practice Council Officers can simply ignore or dismiss them.
Together as a group we are much stronger, speak much louder, and are much harder to ignore.
