Object

Core Strategy Submission Document

Representation ID: 16144

Received: 01/11/2009

Respondent: Hockley Residents Association

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

Summary:
Previous consultations ignored by RDC and HAAP pre-empted:
The proposals ignore both the Parish Plan and the 95% rejection rate of respondents to RDC's own HAAP Consultation (2009), which included specific proposals for Eldon Way (but did not even mention the Foundry Industrial Estate).
A survey completed by 972 residents iin October 2009 also confirmed the public's rejection with only 5% in favour of redeveloping the shops and only 13% supporting redevelopmment of the industrial estate.
Thus the proposals are not founded on a robust and credible evidence base and are unsound

Full text:

Previous consultations and public opinion ignored by RDC and HAAP pre-empted:
As well as ignoring the Parish Plan and the 95% rejection rate of the HAAP proposals, the Core Strategy proposals pre-empt the next round of the HAAP.

Public opinion in Hockley is strongly against both the HAAP and Core Strategy proposals for Hockley Village Centre. A survey undertaken in October 2009 had 972 responses (over 20% of households) and the key results were:
- shops: only 5% in favour of major redevelopment (43% supported moderate redevelopment and 52% only wanted minor improvements)
- Eldon Way & Foundry Industrial Estates: just 13% wanted major change with a youth centre suggested as the most popular improvement.
- Roads: nearly 2/3rds wanted to retain a roundabout at the Spa Junction instead of traffic lights proposed by RDC.

Thus the proposals are not founded on a robust and credible evidence base and are unsound.