As a resident of Rayleigh I wish to object to the possible adoption in the Local Plan for the potential residential developments of Mill Hall (ref COL07) and the Civic Suite (ref COL20). My reasoning is as follows:-

1. Both the above are in the Rayleigh Conservation Area and thus currently not identified as for residential use. Any proposal to change the status of these Conservation Area sites to allow them to be used for residential purposes is unacceptable. Rochford District Council has a duty to preserve and enhance the Rayleigh Conservation Area.
2. The Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, S 39 together with other legislation places a duty upon RDC to contribute towards achieving sustainable development. The ‘greenest’ building must be the existing ones given the carbon impact of demolishing and building residential properties. Additionally Mill Hall does offer significant sustainability enhancement potential.
3. Currently there are some 7500 new build homes under development in Rayleigh and further significant current development in areas closely adjoining Rayleigh. Assuming a 3 person family average and 1-2 cars per household that extrapolates to 22500 additional residents and potentially 15000 additional vehicles, before contemplating the impact of the adjacent developments.
a. Mill Hall is the only facility that currently has the capacity to act as a social centre for Rayleigh residents (Operatic Society, Film Shows, large wedding receptions etc). Given the increases in resident number the demand for its availability will inevitably increase in future years.
b. As an adjunct to a) above the demand for parking spaces within Rayleigh Town Centre will inevitably increase – more is needed not less!
c. Rayleigh High Street Shops must compete with those in Wickford, Chelmsford and Southend for trade, all of which would seem to have greater parking facilities than Rayleigh, particularly given the impact of housing/car expansion identified above. If Rayleigh is not to be relegated to a commercial backwater it must compete to hold and retain 'time poor' Shoppers who will not accept difficulties in finding parking spaces at charges that may not be competitive with those available in the alternative towns.