So Essex County Council has recommended plans should go ahead for a waste plant at Courtauld Road, despite thousands signing a petition against it The site is in Basildon isn’t it? Shouldn’t our local own officers be deciding the area’s fate?

True democracy, yes? What’s the point?

Am I missing the point somehow as to why the county council insists the community of Basildon is behind its development/destruction proposals?

We are supposed to live in a democracy aren’t we?

We voiced our opinion via the Echo campaign, yet, it appears, the wishes of the majority are about to be overridden. What’s going on?

As for Tracey Chapman, county councillor for the environment, stating the plans are great news for the residents, I’m almost lost for words.

Consider this: If the EU really cared about our environment it would be protecting these valuable reservoirs for nature and conservation, especially at this late hour of need for saving planet Earth’s species and her home.

Yes, the truth is, we should be protecting this unofficial nature reserve as stated in the old local plan.

I urge Essex County Council to think again and halt the planned destruction of a site of importance to nature.

Let’s respect our diminishing species, which have set up home at Courtauld Road and show democracy in motion. Call a halt to these unwanted plans.

J D Richardson
Witchards
Basildon