Object

Representation ID: 717

Received: 29/06/2007

Respondent: Messrs Pinkerton

Agent: Whirledge & Nott

Whilst it is acknowledged that the Southend Airport area is suitable for employment expansion it is considered that concentrating all employment uses within the south east corner of the District is not sustainable. Employment should be allocated throughout the District and in particular in the accessible western edge of the District.

The west of the district benefits from very good transport links with the rest of the county. Employment uses are easily accessible to the other businesses outside of the District particularly to the north and west. To not plan for employment in this location is considered wrong.

There are many sites within the district that have developed employment uses in an ad-hoc way. The zoning of such sites would offer the opportunity to provide employment land without loss of greenfield sites. The Council should prioritise the re-zoning of existing sites providing employment to allow comprehensive re-development in sustainable locations above the release of undeveloped sites.

Lubards Lodge Farm at Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, provides a suitable site for re-zoning of land to employment land for the reasons outlined above. Whilst it is acknowledged that this is not a allocations consultation is it considered that the Council should include within their employment strategy more specific reference to employment provision within the west of the District.

It is considered that to focus employment solely in the Rochford area of the District is not sustainable. The release of greenfield sites within this location add to the coalescence of the Rochford area with Southend-on-Sea.