*THIS REPRESENTATION INCLUDES AN ATTACHMENT*

Point SP 1.1: (Objectively Assessed Need)
Rochford District Council are under a duty to provide between 331 to 361 houses per annum under the Objectively Assessed Need. Rochford Council should not rely on neighbouring authorities Duty to Cooperate as these areas are also under pressure to supply housing. Rochford Council must guarantee they have a supply to meet this, going further than the proposed option A. 'Seek to provide as much of the district's housing need within our area, as far as possible, given environmental and other constraints. The council must consider releasing more land from the Green Belt, as detailed in the response to Point SP 5.1 below.

Point SP 1.3: How do we plan to facilitate the delivery of our need for new homes over the next 20 years within the district?
To meet the target of supplying at least 331 houses per annum additional land must be included in the local plan. For this reason option C. several small extensions to the existing area would be one good way to achieve the minimum 331 houses per annum in the Rochford District. As detailed in the site SHLAA summary the site is located close to the existing residential area and be considered a small extension to the existing area. The site is within walking distance to the new train station at Southend Airport, bus stops and amenities at Southend Airport proving the site to be sustainable for transport.


The principle of the Green Belt is to keep a sense of openness between built up areas. The development of the Green Belt should only happen in exceptional circumstances, but as reiterated by Government publications the plan-led system should review the existing Green Belt boundary to ensure development is always sustainable.
The Five purposes of the Green Belt are:
1. To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;
2. To prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;
3. To assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
4. To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
5. To assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.
The Council's approach to the Green Belt is set out in the Core Strategy adopted in December 2011. The four objectives of the Core Strategy for the Green Belt are;
1. Continue to protect the openness and character of the District's Green Belt.
2. Ensure the minimum amount of Green Belt is allocated to meet the District's housing and employment needs, and that extensions to the residential envelope are in sustainable locations, which retain the individual identities of settlements and prevent coalescence
3. Ensure existing lawful businesses in the Green Belt are able to continue to function and contribute to the local economy, as appropriate, having regard to the impact on the openness and character of the Green Belt.
4. Ensure appropriate forms of diversification are encouraged to support the local rural economy and help achieve the vision of developing green tourism in the District.
Given the above the land referred to in the Strategic Housing Land Assessment should be considered as it meets the requirements for new housing as set out in points one and two above. There should also be an amendment to the current policy to release sustainable sites like this from the Green Belt and hence the support for option B to amend the current Green Belt policy in the Core Strategy.