Essex Town Sees Housing Boom, Residents Worry About Infrastructure

Essex is seeing many new houses being built, as the UK needs more homes overall. However, some towns worry about the impact, and Maldon is one such town. It’s a civil parish located on the Blackwater estuary.

Maldon has a strong community spirit, showcasing both independent businesses and natural beauty. The town features places like The Gnome Cafe, The Continental, and Maldon Coffee Company. Promenade Park offers a splash park, a petting zoo, and mini golf.

Maldon’s high street is very lively, offering many stores and restaurants. Locals say the community is close-knit, with strong support for independent businesses.

Despite its idyllic nature, Maldon faces the issue of new housing developments. These developments promise many new homes, but many existing residents feel frustrated.

While more homes are good for the housing supply, Maldon residents are concerned that the infrastructure is lacking to support more people. Heather and Mick Smith, who have lived there five years, think it will worsen.

They say building homes isn’t the core problem, but believe infrastructure needs improvement. More schools and doctors are needed, and they suggest more parking is vital, as the main car park is often full. Currently, doctors’ appointments feel hard to secure.

John Woodall, 73, has lived in Maldon all his life. He thinks Maldon is a great place, with lots to do and great food options. However, he feels the population is growing fast, leading to heavy traffic and difficulty seeing doctors.

Sharon, who lived in Maldon for 20 years, has similar views on the town. She thinks people need houses, that is a given. However, public services must improve, and she is worried about the new homes and their impact on the town’s peace.