EEDA welcomes the undertaking of an Employment Land Review (2008) which suggests that office employment is expected to grow significantly. Land availability within the district is constrained by Green Belt policy and low levels of vacant land. The ELR suggests that an additional 2 ha of employment land, specifically for offices uses, is needed. The town centre is identified as a strategic location and therefore as having the potential to provide some of this need as part of a mixed use scheme. Whilst this should provide a positive contribution to the future vitality of the town centre, EEDA would ask the Council to consider how such an allocation will relate to the delivery of the Council's wider employment aspirations. In particular, the approach to the future growth of high tech industries and office accommodation as proposed within the Joint Southend Airport AAP, and its important role as a key economic driver for the sub-region.

By addressing these key elements of the RES, the AAP will provide the context needed to maintain the prosperity of the East of England, enhancing its regional competitiveness and giving support to business growth.