Call for Sites Allocations 129 - Lime House Nursery Industrial Park which is located on the south-eastern edge of Rayleigh offers a more sustainable alternative strategic housing option than many of the larger sites, and employment re-allocations proposed by the Council, for the following reasons:

- The site comprises predominantly previously developed land, which is characterised by the remnants of a former large scale horticultural operation which is now used as a small industrial park and Garden Centre. Sequentially, the site should be considered ahead of the larger Green Belt releases proposed in the higher order settlements.
- The development of the site will not result in the loss of high quality agricultural land which is in production, unlike land to the north of London Road, Rayleigh.
- The site is capable of development without causing undue harm or reducing the openness of the Green Belt in this location, much of which has already been substantially eroded by the nature of the existing uses at the site.
- The proposed development of the site will not result in the potential for coalescence with Rayleigh and Eastwood. The Southend administrative boundary is located beyond the eastern boundary of the site and therefore the land does not provide a physical separation function between the two settlements. In any event, the Eastwood Road frontage is continually built up - there is no physical break. The proposed masterplan envisages the retention of a green wedge of land extending in a north - south direction along the eastern boundary running through the site - which would be protected from built development, and opened up for amenity use for the enjoyment of the public. The site does not provide a defensible strategic boundary.
- The site is of low ecological value, and new development could provide the opportunity to increase biodiversity across the site.
- Vehicular access into the site is achievable, and new development can be served by existing utilities and services.
- The site is not prone to flooding, and sequentially offers a better alternative than Stambridge Mills or part of land to the north of London Road, Rayleigh.
- It is accepted by the Council and previous Inspectors that the site is accessible, and is within an easy walking distance of local facilities and the Town Centre. There is good public transport and footpaths adjacent to the site.
- There is existing capacity at nearby local schools to accommodate this level of housing growth; the development would not require substantial infrastructure investment or enabling works.
- The site is adjoined by existing residential development on 3 of the 4 boundaries, and development would form part of a well established residential area, as opposed to a large single strategic site, which is more difficult to integrate with an existing community.

Rochford's Core Strategy is overly reliant on the redevelopment of four existing employment sites which are not currently developable, and a limited number of large strategic housing sites which will require extensive infrastructure to enable their delivery. An alternative strategy would be to utilise a number of smaller sites such as Lime House Nursery Industrial Park (Site 129) on the edge of existing residential areas in higher tier settlements that can use existing infrastructure and facilities. This approach is more sustainable than that currently being proposed by the Council.