BFR1 Star lane Industrial Estate
Whilst the respondent supports the principle of this allocation, there are strong reservations as to whether the Star Lane Industrial Estate section of the allocation will be deliverable, within the expected timeframe. The allocation includes the existing Star Lane Industrial Estate and the Former Brickworks. The Council is currently considering a planning application proposal for the Former Brickworks and it is likely that these proposals could be delivered at some point. It is important to stress however that the respondent believes that planning permission on the Brickworks should not be granted, unless the approved scheme includes unfettered vehicular access to the respondent's site SER 9b. The access must be capable of catering for the quantum of development anticipated on allocation SER 9b. This access must also be agreed with the highway authority and designed to serve the brickworks development as well as up to 185 residential units on allocation SER 9b.
Star Lane Industrial Estate is made up of a number of individual business units, which are in multiple ownership. Many of the occupiers have a freehold interest and there are also a number of tenants, many of which have relatively recent leases. The prospect of these owners/tenants coming together to relocate simultaneously is extremely unlikely. It is considered that the release of the land will as a result, be delayed to the point where it is out of step with the Council's housing trajectory. The respondent has two solutions to this likely scenario. Firstly, the respondent owns the land identified in the Allocations DPD as allocation NEL 3 (new employment site at Great Wakering). Attached to these representations is a plan that illustrates an indicative employment layout on site NEL 3. Also attached is a wider indicative master plan that illustrates additional housing in the place of NEL 3, as an alternative option in case the Star Lane Industrial Estate does not come forward as expected. This option simply transfers the housing numbers anticipated on the existing industrial estate to the specific site allocated as its replacement. If somehow the existing employment landowners do get together and decide to relocate, then the respondent is able to deliver the replacement site NEL 3 as part of a comprehensive and wider master plan. This master plan illustrates how sites SER 9b, NEL 3, the Former Brickworks and the Wildlife Site with new areas of Public Open Space could be linked together.
If however, and as expected the Star Lane Industrial Estate does not relocate in a timely fashion, then the respondent's option could be rolled out as a sound alternative.

The plans mentioned have had to be emailed to the Council separately.