The existing site is occupied by multiple established users on the western edge of Rayleigh. It is an important local industrial area which provides a number of premises for small businesses, which would be difficult to relocate. The land is likely to be heavily contaminated and would require extensive remediation to support new housing development subject to viability issues. The site is a 25 minute walk from Rayleigh train station, and it is further to the Town Centre; there are no existing bus stops adjacent to the site and it therefore has a poor accessibility rating. Furthermore, the existing road network already suffers from congestion, and very heavy traffic movement. The existing industrial estate is within Flood Zone 3, is subject to a tree preservation order and is close to the setting of a listed building. Residential development is considered to be an unsuitable re-use of the site.