In your report last week, about the proposed development of the old car park site in Church Hill, Loughton, the developer was quoted as saying that it would boost the local economy.

It is hard to see how, as a new Sainsbury’s store would have a drastically adverse effect on the two existing convenience shops and other retail businesses, particularly as the opening hours will be 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.

Of even more concern to local residents is the effect of an additional store on traffic flows and parking in the area.

Lorry deliveries to, for example, Homebase, the Plume of Feathers pub and the petrol station already cause congestion problems which would worsen considerably with deliveries to a Sainsbury’s.

Extra traffic will make an already dangerous section of Church Hill even less safe.

The adjacent roundabout at the junction with Rectory Lane – the scene of numerous accidents, including a fatality a couple of years ago – is badly designed and can scarcely cope with the existing traffic at peak times.

Further, a new store would inevitably impact on car parking in nearby residential roads, given the very limited parking planned for the new development.

Sainsbury’s say they will recruit only local staff, who will not need to drive to work, but how will they enforce this?

By all means develop this site, but for residential use only, to minimise the effect on traffic and existing local businesses.

Steve Short,
Sedley Rise,
Loughton.