Green campaigners have given a mixed response to a shopping list of potential schemes in the Rochford district which could be funded with Thames Gateway cash.
The Thames Gateway scheme will regenerate areas on both sides of the River Thames from Southend to east London, and Rochford councillors have come up with their own wish list of projects.
While some of the proposals have been given the thumbs up by Green politicians, others have received a less than warm welcome.
Irene Willis, spokeswoman for the south Essex Green Party, said: "We support the development of a learning and resource centre in Rayleigh and a healthy living centre at Park School.
"Lifelong learning is a mainstay of the Green Party's education policy and is the key to a better quality of life.
"Schemes to enhance Rochford town centre and hopefully encourage small businesses are welcome, but this idea would be completely undermined by the establishment of a supermarket."
She added: "The development of Southend Airport is not encouraged. There are already going to be problems with meeting our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol on the reduction of greenhouse gasses, so encouraging increased air travel, the most polluting form of transport, will not help the situation at all.
"As well as the issue of climate change, we must look for ways to reduce flying for the sake of residents who live near airports who are blighted by increased noise, smell and polluted air.
"Any development must be sustainable, employing local people where possible. An opportunity exists for the site at Stambridge Mills to be developed with environmentally sensitive homes that can act as a model for the future."
Andrew Vaughan, prospective Green Party candidate for Ashingdon and Canewdon, added: "We are very worried by the impact of the Thames Gateway project on the area.
"Rochford should not excessively develop, dragging extra people into an already overcrowded area, as this will caused increased levels of traffic, congestion, noise and pollution."
Published Monday, June 9, 2003
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