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Representation ID: 1036

Received: 30/06/2008

Respondent: Robert Leonard Group plc

We are commercial property investors & developers based in Aviation Way.

I've read the Issues & Options Report & attended the Business Breakfast today & would comment as follows ;

Out of the 4 different scenarios I believe that no.3 : High Growth, is the only practical solution for major investment in the airport & it's surrounding employment areas. Scenario 2(b) suggests that up to 2 million passengers pa could be achieved without the runway extension but I wouldn't expect airlines would want to operate from a hub that only had destinations in NW Europe within reach. This,also, would surely limit investment from the airport's owners & the existing MRO companies around the airport.

I see that the runway extension is the biggest factor in all these options & bringing Southern European routes will not only help local people's overseas travel but will also introduce Southend & Rochford to a whole new market of potential inward investment. This should be of particular interest to Southend's seaside holiday resort aspirations.

We own small business properties in Aviation Way that are let to local companies & find that they are much more sought after than identical units to the east of Southend town centre due to their proximity to the wider A road network & their superior travel times to the M25. We therefore feel that the designation of new employment areas to the North of Aviation Way is wholly appropriate.

We understand that junction / highway improvements will be required & there will be some environmental issues that need to be handled sensitively, but we feel that Scenario 3 is the best by some considerable margin for both Southend & Rochford.