Can I start by saying that I welcome the discussion on Hockley high street and to a large extent agree with the points raised against the current situation, however I have concerns about the proposals being put forward. I would also express my displeasure at the lack of information being circulated about these plans, more effort should be made by the council to improve awareness if a fair and useful feedback is to be received.

Firstly reviewing the visions/objectives set out I strongly question the conclusions regarding Eldon Way, whilst I accept it is an unusual location for this type of light industry this site provides valuable employment and leisure services within the community and any attempt to relocate those businesses risks damage to successful operations and also presents the issue of the cost being born by the residents as being unjustifiable. The talk of a town square whilst a pretty idea seems to be about aesthetics and little else, I see no specific problems with the existing linear structure and believe that this alteration is an unnecessary expense. With regard to areas J and K I am concerned that if these were refurbished for retail what would be done with existing lease holders and would the cost mean that they were prohibitively expensive to new businesses. From speaking with current lease holders they all express concern that the number of vacant units presently is due to unrealistic rents and rates.

The suggestion of a new health centre on site L1 is in principle a reasonable idea, however, how would this fit in with an overall health strategy for Hockley, we have very limited GP facilities given the number of people and no NHS dentists, I think this issue needs to be addressed, particularly given the context of further housing development mentioned elsewhere in this document.

Looking specifically at option 1.1 and 1.2 it is mentioned that a supermarket be developed on site A1 and that A3 be redeveloped, during this re-development phase how would residents be provided for as if this whole site was cleared this would lead to no local shopping facilities for elderly or those without transport. I also fail to see how moving the supermarket will improve the offering to any great extent as there simply is not the space. Further the proposal to put the car parks and 2,3 seems foolish. This would mean all the traffic flow would be at the bottom end of Bramerton road turning a difficult junction into a very dangerous junction, it would also cause much inconvenience to the residents of this road as access to and from their homes would be affected and in all likelihood parking would overflow into the road. Plus you are building next to a church, has the noise implications been considered? Further what do you plan to do with the rest of the businesses you are destroying what shops we do have, our only bank would be gone to name but one.

I agree that the leisure use units in Eldon Way should be retained, but believe building more residential on the rest of the land is folly. By your own objectives you state the aim is to keep Hockley as a village and yet these plans contradict that very aim. The resources of Hockley are stretched as it is, yet more homes are proposed. Just for starters where will any children go to school, all the schools in this area are full (both secondary and primary), plus the extra cars and other facilities cannot cope. The village has grown large enough and the focus should not be on more homes.

I support the plans for L1 and L2 and believe strongly that better provision of facilities for the community and specifically youth is important, however a building is not the answer in itself and careful consideration should be given to how these facilities will be run eg who will fund a youth club? Also will young people actually go, it can be seen in the past that even with somewhere to meet they still are found on street corners.

Looking at option 2.1 and 2.2 I note that the leisure companies currently based in Eldon way would be relocated to the new B and C sites, however I would question looking at the scale are these sites big enough. Is this really practical and once again question why this plan is so keen to destroy so many jobs and build so many more homes in an already over crowded area this seems like a double loss to me. Given the intent to build houses what provision is being made for education as they will undoubtedly bring more children into the area. It mentions the possibility of the use of compulsory purchase orders, which I find objectionable, if this plan is so critical then it is up to the council to work out how to relocate business in a constructive non forceful way, otherwise you are effectively discouraging people from going into business in case this happened again. 2.2 seems to be even worse than 2.1 as it increases the over crowding problem further by pushing more houses in, which will be right up against the railway line and therefore I question their sell ability.

Options 3.1 and 3.2 raise the same concerns about housing, which I won't revisit. My concern with the provision of commercial and leisure units would be whether they were realistically sized and priced to attract tenants and whether Hockley could support them, as otherwise this could create a white elephant of empty units. Further with the creation of the town square and village green careful consideration needs to be given to lighting and security otherwise this could be subject to vandalism or become a meeting place for large groups of young people as has been an issue at Broad Parade previously.

Looking at the overall options I can honestly say there is no plan I would support as a standalone. I am broadly in favour of the redevelopment of L1, L2 and the surface parking 5, I think the walk through 4 is a nice idea but again safety and security are un underlying issue. I actively object to the up rooting of all the businesses on the north side of Spa Road which would lose us solicitors, bank, fish shop, bathroom/kitchen shop, health food shop and our supermarket. I think a more effective strategy to ensure they can remain in Hockley is required. I believe an enlarged supermarket is the wrong idea, it will destroy local shops like green grocer's and butchers and create massive parking problems, rather than focussing on redevelopment the plan should focus on maintaining the existing infrastructure, providing better pavements keeping the areas cleaner and having rents and rates that encourage business to grow. At the end of the day if you build a load of new buildings and they end up empty because they are too expensive this is all pointless. Hockley can never compete with the larger high streets and out of town shopping centres. I think it is unrealistic to think that we will draw more people to stop, the other villages/towns all have their own offerings, Hockley should focus on providing for its residents and these plans seem to do little to promote that. If the focus was on local people why destroy local businesses.

I would also strongly urge the council to review their information dissemination system, the way these plans have been circulated is outrageous, given this is a consultation how can people consult if they haven't been informed!