Object
Hockley Area Action Plan - Issues and Options
Representation ID: 9276
Received: 28/04/2009
Respondent: Barratt Eastern Counties
Agent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd
The current drafting of 3.2.3 demonstrate limited understanding of the role of the Eldon Way Industrial Estate in terms of creating a sustainable settlement and underpinning the town centre as a place to work. 'More valuable and appropriate uses' could include removal of all employment uses and this would run counter to the sustainability principles which guide planning. Noisy and polluting industry should be replaced by offices, light industry, workshops and Hi tech employment rather than high levels of residential/leisure uses.
Paragraph 3.2.3
This paragraph as currently drafted highlights a limited understanding of the role of the Eldon Way Industrial Estate plays in underpinning the town centre and providing work for nearby residents in a sustainable location. The reference to 'more valuable and appropriate uses' is not well defined and open to wide interpretation. If implemented it could undermine the vitality and viability of the town centre. Whilst noisy and potentially polluting industrial uses may not be appropriate in this location, a mix of offices, light industrial, high technology, and studio based employment would be an appropriate alternative. These uses would be valuable and appropriate and help maintain the role of the industrial estate as significant employment area within the Town Centre. It would maintain the settlements sustainability credentials and reduce the need to travel for work. The potential would remain for some land to be devoted to new retail development, a civic square and leisure uses to meet the objectives noted in 3.2.1 providing that a higher density of employment is achieved elsewhere on the site.