This option represents 'minimal' intervention in the context of redevelopment. This is supported by Barratt Eastern Counties for the following reasons.

* The Eldon Way Industrial Estate is in a highly sustainable location. The employment area is adjacent to the railway station and located a short distance from the main bus routes which run along Spa Road. The residential areas of the town are also within walking distance, providing a potential for sustainable travel by employees. The Eldon Way Industrial Estate is therefore right at the heart of the Town and provides an opportunity to meet sustainable transport objectives by reducing the need to travel by car. Consequently, the option to retain the bulk of the employment floor space is compliant with PPS4 and sustainability objectives;
* The Eldon Way Industrial Estate performs an important economic function and its retention provides for the needs of existing businesses that require industrial and light industrial floor space. The units are nearly all fully occupied and their type and nature is necessary to providing a mixed economic base for the town and helps underpin the viability of the Town Centre through employee spending. The retention in employment floor space considered by option 1 would help underpin the viability of the centre and the modest retail development;
* There is currently no funding available for any wholesale redevelopment and this is likely to be the case for the foreseeable future. Option 1 is therefore a measured and more acceptable option for development, which focuses on the core issues of improvements to public realm and pedestrian access, junction improvements, and some larger retail units which are considered necessary in the report. Alternative proposals are not widely supported as demonstrated by the previous consultations and public funding cannot therefore be justified on schemes that require significant public purse investment.
* There is no reason why the health facility and new library considered under option 2 and 3 should not be considered within this option. These may be seen as necessary community facilities and their proposed location on the south side of the main Town Centre would be appropriate given the principal function of the industrial estate and retail frontages. Linkages could be created as noted under option 2 and 3.