I feel many of the options here are on too grand a scale for Hockley which is essentially a large village and should remain so.

Many of the things to improve Hockley's appearance & character could be superficial and far less radical than demolishing most of the village and starting from scratch.

Here's some immediate & less radical suggestions:

Smarten up the appearance of the shops - many are in quite a tired & decrepid state and need renovating.

Reduce business rates - the plan mentions a lack of specialist shops in Hockley, but there are 11 empty shops in the high st now most of which were specialist before they closed ( ie, the old Bathroom Showroom, Chemists, Electrical Shop, Timber Yard, Goldtime Jewellers, Chris Allnut Estate Agents, Florist/Cafe, Power Tool Shop, Hockley Electrical, AllDays Convenience store,etc...)

Evidence that new-builds do not equate to immediate population is evident by the unfinished & empty office to let by Hockley station, as well as the new flats many of which remain un-let/unsold in Hockley.

I would seriously question whether simply building new shops will mean businessses will return in what is without doubt a deepening & longer recession than anticipated.

Any empty office space above existing shops or empty office units etc - could be converted into residential flats.

Remove grafiitti & reduce levels of litter in the village. I had thought that Rochford District Council had appointed an enforcement officer whose responsibilities include "reduced levels of litter, dog fouling, graffiti and fly tipping". The addition of CC-TV might stop any reoccurrance.

Add some more greenery around the village. Hockley is well known for its woods and the village centre should retain a green feel.

Create a small village square - this was mentioned in the plan and Hockley does need a 'centre' - A village square needs to be in a central location - If AllDay's remains empty why not demolish this building and put a village square here?

Alternatively the out-buildings behind the Spa pub look like they are about to fall down - could this area be made into a small green area or alternatively how about a small outdoor market on certain days?

Offer Free Parking in the village (& combine the Somerfield /Alldays Car Park so that you have a more effective entrance/exit).

Make better use of the more iconic buildings in Hockley such as the Spa Pump rooms - suggestions for use could be as a village hall, tea-rooms, restaurant, youth-centre, gym,??

Retain any period properties in the village.

Allow for change of business use for some of the empty shops to permit more cafe's, bar's, an Italian restaurant etc and a cosmopolitan feel.

Smarten up the exterior of the Bull pub. It's a lovely pub but starting to fall apart in places.

Increase/improve marketing on the appeal of Hockley woods - more attractions, walks, nature trails, picturesque areas might increase visitors into the village.

Create more youth facilities - Could the empty warehouses round Eldon Way be better utilised for this purpose?

If it transpires that Hockley is to become a larger 'town' I have not seen any mention in the Area Action Plan to improve the overall infrastructure -ie coping with increased levels of trafiic, improved parking, more schools, nurseries, doctors, dentists, more trains, buses etc. to cope with the increase in Hockley's population.

A new large supermarket will inevitably lead to further decline in the small shops and businesses.

Finally, I agree with the plans to refurbish the station