Object
Rayleigh Area Action Plan Submission Document
Representation ID: 33523
Received: 06/02/2014
Respondent: The National Trust Rayleigh Mount Local Committee
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
Figure 7 shows the flower beds at the base of the trees in the High Street indicated by circles, and an oval under the tree symbols. Figure 8 does not show them, indicating that they are to be removed (unless it is a drafting error, which I doubt). There is no mention in the text about the loss of these flower beds (except a reference to "general decluttering" on page 18 (2.8). Nor has there been any specific mention of it in any previous part of the public consultation process. Therefore there has been no opportunity for the public to comment on it. This makes the document unsound.
These raised flowerbeds are not "general clutter", they are an important visual attraction in the street scene.
1. The flower beds are currently very well maintained by Rayleigh Town Centre, with colourful bedding plants planted in them annually. They are weeded and watered regularly by a contractor.
2. The flowers beautify the High Street, making it more attractive area to shop in.
3. The flowerbeds are an important element in the Town Council's 'Rayleigh in Bloom' campaign (part of the Anglia in Bloom competition).
4. The edges of these raised beds provide a valuable seating area for the public (as can be seen in illustration on page 13 of the document, which also shows how colourful they are - as does illustration 2 on page 37). These seats are of particular benefit to elderly people, as they are quite high and have arm rests, making it easier for the infirm to lower themselves onto them, and to raise themselves off of them again. A lot of elderely people do use the High Street, due to sheltered housing schemes close to the town centre. Seating for them is important.
5. Removal of the flowerbeds would be very detrimental to the established trees, because they provide a high quality root-run area, and allow rain penetration down to the tree roots. The trees are used to the flowerbeds being watered regularly, and would certainly suffer if this changed.
Figure 7 shows the flower beds at the base of the trees in the High Street indicated by circles, and an oval under the tree symbols. Figure 8 does not show them, indicating that they are to be removed (unless it is a drafting error, which I doubt). There is no mention in the text about the loss of these flower beds (except a reference to "general decluttering" on page 18 (2.8). Nor has there been any specific mention of it in any previous part of the public consultation process. Therefore there has been no opportunity for the public to comment on it. This makes the document unsound.
These raised flowerbeds are not "general clutter", they are an important visual attraction in the street scene.
1. The flower beds are currently very well maintained by Rayleigh Town Centre, with colourful bedding plants planted in them annually. They are weeded and watered regularly by a contractor.
2. The flowers beautify the High Street, making it more attractive area to shop in.
3. The flowerbeds are an important element in the Town Council's 'Rayleigh in Bloom' campaign (part of the Anglia in Bloom competition).
4. The edges of these raised beds provide a valuable seating area for the public (as can be seen in illustration on page 13 of the document, which also shows how colourful they are - as does illustration 2 on page 37). These seats are of particular benefit to elderly people, as they are quite high and have arm rests, making it easier for the infirm to lower themselves onto them, and to raise themselves off of them again. A lot of elderely people do use the High Street, due to sheltered housing schemes close to the town centre. Seating for them is important.
5. Removal of the flowerbeds would be very detrimental to the established trees, because they provide a high quality root-run area, and allow rain penetration down to the tree roots. The trees are used to the flowerbeds being watered regularly, and would certainly suffer if this changed.