Dear Sir / Madam

Rochford Core Strategy Preferred Options Document

On behalf of the Aston Unit Trust and Mr John Needs, I enclose formal representations in respect of the Rochford Core Strategy Preferred Options.

Whilst the individual representation forms set out my clients comments on each policy, it may be of assistance briefly to summarise their overall perspective on the Preferred Options. The main criticism is the decision to shift a much higher proportion of the greenfield housing allocations to the second and third tier settlements compared to the 2007 Preferred Options.

The 2007 Preferred Options was the subject of a Sustainability Analysis which concluded that the option of providing only 10% of the total housing provision (460 units) in these minor settlements was the most sustainable option. The 2008 Preferred Options now proposes to allocate 860 units on greenfield sites in second and third tier settlements. When completions and commitments are added to this figure, the total level of housing growth in these lower tier settlements will be considerable. There is nothing in the evidence base to justify such a change and since it results in a less sustainable spatial strategy it is unsound.

The solution is to reduce the level of greenfield allocations in the second and third tier settlements and increase the proportion in the three towns. It is not the role of these representations to suggest a detailed Policy H2 redistribution, however land at Wellington Road, Rayleigh is capable of delivering around 200 dwellings at a sustainable location in the 'principal town' in the district. This site is within walking distance of a wide range of services, facilities, employment and public transport in Rayleigh. As a consequence, future residents of this site have a real choice not to use their cars for most day to day trips. This choice does not exist in the lower tier settlements of Hullbridge, Great Wakering and Canewdon.

My clients support the tariff or 'CIL' approach set out in Policy CLT1 and the representation on Appendix 1 sets out the social and physical infrastructure which would be expected to accompany the residential development of the Wellington Road site.

Should you wish to discuss the delivery of the Wellington Road site in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,
R Sellwood
Sellwood Planning Ltd
cc. Aston Unit Trust
J Needs