Q3.1 Do you agree with the overall Vision for the JAAP?

London Southend Airport JAAP Issues and Options Report Representation on behalf of Cherry Orchard Homes and Villages PLC

We are writing on behalf of our clients, Cherry Orchard Homes and Villages PLC, to respond to the recently published draft Joint Area Action Plan for London Southend Airport. Our clients have an interest in the Cherry Orchard brickwork site.

Our clients are supportive of the proposals for growth set out in Scenarios 2a, 2b and 3, and in particular Scenario 3, and we set out below our reasons for supporting these options. Where are comments relate directly to one of the questions raised in the Issues and Options paper, we have referenced the question to assist in processing this response.

Employment potential and the overall Vision

At a strategic level, both Rochford and Southend districts have a requirement to deliver significant levels of new employment alongside the growth of housing and the achievement of other land-use objectives. Achieving employment growth requires the provision not just of sufficient land to enable businesses to growth, but also creating the conditions that encourage economic investment and business confidence.

Southend Airport offers not only a significant source of local employment and growth potential in its own right, but also the potential to act as a catalyst for employment growth in other sectors, irrespective of whether or not they have a direct link to the aviation industry.

The airport has the benefit of a readily accessible location, both in terms of public transport and the highway network. Unlike other potential employment locations in the eastern parts of Southend, it does not suffer from the same perceived image of being peripheral and inaccessible. Furthermore (and as set out in the Issues and Options document at section 2.3), the general quality of the building stock is high, and whilst there is undoubtedly scope for intensification and redevelopment within the Aviation Way business park, generally the image of the area is one of vibrancy and an 'up-market' business environment that attracts quality companies.

The expansion of the airport will serve to further reinforce the attractiveness of the area for business, both through major projects such as the new rail station, and through more general investment in local transportation and the local environment. The location also offers the potential for diversification in the local employment base, attracting new office and high tech development alongside the growth in aviation and engineering.

The identification of the airport as a strategic growth area, and the establishment of a clear framework through the JAAP, provides the opportunity to focus public and private sector investment in a consistent and co-ordinated manner to deliver the required infrastructure enhancement.

Within the above context, we would respond to Questions 3.1, 3.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 as follows:

Q3.1 Overall Vision we agree with the overall vision as set out on page 33
Q3.2 Objectives we agree with the proposed objectives. In particular, we agree with the reference in the first objective to "other land uses", since the JAAP offers the opportunity to deliver complementary land uses alongside the focus on new employment as part of the achievement of a balanced growth package;
Q4.3 Role in the wider sub-region the JAAP has a significant role to play in helping Rochford and Southend meet their strategic requirements for employment growth up to 2021 and beyond;
Q4.4 Suitability for growth the area offers the potential to deliver a highly sustainable location for employment growth, alongside a clear strategy for infrastructure enhancements;
Q4.5 Attractiveness to investors the location offers a potentially prestigious environment for inward investment, and is likely to be highly attractive to the business community.

The Green Belt

The current boundary of the Green Belt follows an unusual course in the sense that for significant areas it does not follow any recognisable features on the ground. The most obvious example of this is the location of the Green Belt in relation to the airport, but equally in the vicinity of the Westcliff Rugby Club and Green Belt is drawn to bisect the adjoining tennis courts. Irrespective of the JAAP, there is a case for rationalising the Green Belt boundary in this area.

If unaltered, however, the Green Belt would act as a considerable constraint on the achievement of the land use objectives of the JAAP. In all but the low growth scenario some change to the Green Belt boundary would be required. In our view it will be important to ensure that a lack of land available for inward investment and employment generation does not undermine the objectives of the JAAP, and therefore we support an amendment to the Green Belt boundary.

In accordance with advice in PPG2, where the Green Belt is amended, it will be important to ensure that the alternative boundary is defensible in the long term, and that there will not need to be further amendments.

Not all of the land that may be released from the Green Belt would necessarily be developed in the short term, and the release of employment land in particular may be phased over the longer-term. However, we would suggest that it is important to ensure that any change to the Green Belt is robust in terms of setting an appropriate long-term boundary, and in our view Rayleigh Brook would provide a suitable alternative southern boundary to the Green Belt, with the airport and adjoining land south of the Brook excluded.

In response to Q4.7, therefore, we consider that the Green Belt should be revised, and the revised boundary should be Rayleigh Brook.

The Areas for Change

In response to Q4.12, we agree with the identified 'areas for change'. In particular, we agree with the identification of the Brickworks site as an area for change. We agree that this is an area in need of improvement, and that the quality of the area is poor in environmental terms.

We would add to the analysis by highlighting the fact that the Brickworks site provides a substantial resource of Previously Developed Land, totalling around 6 hectares. Our own technical investigations of the site have shown that the area is not at any substantive risk of flooding, that the ecological value of the site is low (subject to the retention of the boundary vegetation), and that access can be provided in a safe and convenient fashion from Cherry Orchard Way.

The Scenarios

We do not support Scenario 1. The 'low growth' scenario is tantamount to a 'no change' scenario and the opportunity that exists to utilise the airport to stimulate economic development and investment would be lost.

In response to Q5.1, we offer some support for Scenarios 2a and 2b, but our preference is for Scenario 3, which recognises the potential benefits of the area and seeks to deliver them as part of a comprehensive Masterplan aimed at achieving significant employment growth alongside full investment in infrastructure and environmental enhancement.

Cherry Orchard Brickworks

We support the identification of the brickworks site as a location for residential development under Options 2a, 2b, and 3. As indicated previously, our own technical studies have shown that the site is suitable for residential development, and an appropriate scheme would help to enhance the landscape in this location and make good use of an area of previously developed land. We envisage that redevelopment could be a catalyst for improving connections between the Country Park to the west and Rochford town centre to the east, and could contribute to the achievement of the objective for a visitor centre/heritage centre in the area.

On a broader level, we would suggest that the inclusion of an element of residential development as part of the wider land-use proposals for the JAAP would be entirely complimentary to the objectives for the area, both in terms of the local environmental enhancement and in terms of the co-location of housing with an area of employment expansion and transportation investment. The site would represent a highly sustainable location for residential development in that context, whilst helping to meet the overall requirement for new homes in Rochford district.
Overall

To conclude, we support the Vision and objectives of the JAAP, and we support the growth scenarios set out therein, and in particular Scenario 3.

I trust the above representations will be taken into account, and we look forward to acknowledgement of receipt in due course.

ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL & SOUTHEND-ON-SEA BOROUGH COUNCIL
LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT & ENVIRONS JOINT AREA ACTION PLAN ISSUES & OPTIONS REPORT
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF COLONNADE LAND LLP

This representation to the Southend Airport JAAP Issues and Options Report is submitted on behalf of Colonnade Land LLP (CLLLP). Colonnade would like to play a full and active role in the JAAP process herein and be a key stakeholder.

CLLLP has major land interests in North Southend and South Rochford. CLLLP considers that the strategic development of land to the south and east of the aerodrome would form part of a new, comprehensive long-term regeneration strategy for the area based on achieving the following objectives:

. Unlocking the potential of London Southend Airport by developing it into a freight and passenger airport that serves the needs of the Essex Thames Gateway sub-region
. Enabling London Southend Airport to develop into an accessible employment pole of sub-regional importance
. Alleviating Greater Southend's serious road infrastructure deficiencies through the provision of additional east-west road capacity and expanding and developing an integrated public transport network
. Meeting the area's long term housing and job requirements in a sustainable way that addresses issues such as affordable and family housing, accessible links to employment centres and creating a high quality environment
. Unlocking the potential of New Ranges to enable its regeneration post 2031

CLLLP has established an effective working relationship with a prospective purchaser of the Airport. The bidder, which must remain confidential at this time due to the ongoing tender proves, have mutually shared views regarding the future of the airport and the wider area. CLLLP worked with the bidder in the preparation of their bid for the airport and if the bid is successful, the relationship will be strengthened further with CLLLP asset managing the landside property portfolio of the airport and advising and representing on the forward planning of the airport and associated strategic planning issues. Both parties would like to work with Rochford District Council and Southend Borough Council towards a long term (2031) strategy that achieves the objectives listed above. Whilst it is recognised that this strategy is to be developed over the next few years through the East of England Plan Review process and that the AAP only looks ahead as far as 2021, it is imperative that the Joint AAP provides a thorough analysis of the relevant policy context to address infrastructure, employment and aviation issues in a comprehensive, holistic and long term way. The comments below are provided to the questions and issues raised in the document and for ease of reference, presented in the same order in which they appear in the consultation document.

a) Assets, Opportunities and Constraints

Q2.1 and Q2.2

The opportunity to provide a new direct link road from the A127 to the airport site and beyond has not been identified. Peter Brett Associates, on behalf of CLLLP, have established that a route exists which would provide new highway infrastructure from the A127 (Prince Avenue) running east through to Rochford Road. The new road would require the demolition of a nominal number of existing properties, some of which are already under the ownership of CLLLP. Provision of this new infrastructure would enable Eastwoodbury Lane to be permanently closed to facilitate a runway extension whilst creating land parcels that could be suitable for development as new employment/business sites. Please refer to the attached diagram.

b) The JAAP Vision

3.1 Do you agree with the Vision?

CLLLP consider the Vision for London Southend Airport to be inadequate and unfit for purpose. Whilst the reference to the sub-regional importance of the airport as an employment driver is supported, CLLLP would like to see the Vision modified so that it highlights a commitment to developing the Airport into a small regional airport to serve the Essex Thames Gateway sub-region and a Vision that specifically highlights the need to provide first class infrastructure links for residents and workers. It is considered that the Vision as presented fails to identify the full range of actions required for Southend Airport to function as a successful airport, and fails to address the need to transform the transport infrastructure in the area, which is already at capacity and urgently needs to be rectified.

3.2 & 3.3 Do the objectives set out the key requirements and are there any other additional objectives that would help to guide the selection of the preferred option?

The outlined objectives are largely supported. However, the objectives fail to highlight the fundamental need to provide better accessibility to the regional highway network. An AAP must identify this as a key objective because the airport will not develop as either a passenger or freight airport without highway improvements and nor will the AAP area be accessible to Essex Thames Gateway residents and workers. The Vision and listed Objectives suggest that the road access is adequate to serve a thriving airport and a major employment centre. This is not the case and amendments are required. The airport cannot grow to the scale outlined in the Airport Masterplan with improvements to sustainable transport access alone due to capacity issues. The Airport's Business Plan states that 25% of passengers would travel by train and 75% by road.

c) Issues and Options

4.1 What do you see as the role of London Southend Airport in the future?

London Southend Airport will develop into a successful, small regional airport and a major employment centre in the future if its infrastructure requirements are met and in this regard, the commentary provided under Option iii) "Airport growth: extended runway and new facilities" encapsulates what could be achieved within a relatively short period of time. This is the only way that CLLLP envisage that the airport can be successfully developed as a passenger airport and employment centre. However, it must be emphasised that it will also require significant improvements to the local and regional road network and significant other infrastructure investment.

4.2 How can the airport best be developed to drive and support the local economy?

The airport must be developed to an appropriate level to drive and support the local economy this is evident from the text laid out in the consultation document. It is clear from the text that the airport will not develop as a passenger airport without a runway extension and commensurate investment in other infrastructure.

4.3 - What role should JAAP play in supporting employment growth in the sub-region?

London Southend Airport is one of two new employment growth poles in Essex Thames Gateway (the other being London Gateway). Given the East of England jobs target for the sub-region (55,000 net new jobs between 2001 and 2021), it is absolutely critical that both new employment centres maximise employment growth as far as possible. In this regard, the JAAP should be concerned with both direct and indirect airport and non-airport related growth. The JAAP should seek to maximise job growth at the airport, as well as the economic regeneration of Southend and the sub-region as a whole.

4.4 Is the area appropriate for significant growth in employment?

Inadequate road transport infrastructure and poor accessibility are the sole issues that weaken the attractiveness of Southend Airport as an employment destination and they must be resolved. From a strategic, geographic and spatial perspective, only if the transport infrastructure (both highway and public transport networks) can be improved, can the airport represent a sustainable and viable long term employment destination.

4.5 Will the area be attractive to investors?

The area will be attractive to investors if high quality facilities are created and crucial links to the primary highway network provided.

4.6 Are there additional options to consider?

Based on our experience, we believe that a new link road from the airport site to the A127 (as indicated on the attached plans) would facilitate the creation of new employment opportunities that would be attractive to investors. Value could be transferred from such development via mechanisms such as the Community Infrastructure Levy or a toll road to help fund the new road link.

4.7 Should the Green Belt be considered for revision? If so, how should it be revised?

CLLLP consider that the Green Belt does need to be revised and this revision should consider Green Belt land beyond the JAAP area as well as land within it. The airport itself should be removed from the Green Belt.

4.10 What do you consider to be the transport priorities for the JAAP?

The JAAP fails to recognise the necessity of a comprehensive transport strategy and programme of transport improvements to enable development at the scale envisaged by the East of England Plan and Southend Core Strategy. New and additional transport capacity will be required to offset the closure of Eastwoodbury Lane, to improve transport links to the rest of the sub-region, and to enable the core airport business to grow. The first step would be to secure (public or/and private) funding for a comprehensive transport study including the construction of a sub-regional transport model upon which to base future investment.

New highway infrastructure will need to dovetail with a comprehensive public transport strategy which must be geared around integrating the existing public transport systems that connect different parts of the sub-region to one another. The creation of multi-modal interchanges in Southend, Rochford and the JAAP area will be critical to achieving an integrated and attractive public transport network. Appendix 2 to this representation contains a conceptual map which identifies the potential for an enhanced and expanded network for 2030 based on the introduction of South Essex Rapid Transit (SERT) and enhanced connectivity to prospective future development areas.

4.11 How can a shift from car use to other modes of transport be achieved?

It is impractical to assume that the majority of people will use only rail based public transport to access the airport and this is reflected in the Airport's Business Plan which is based on an aspirational modal split of 25% of passengers travelling by rail and 75% travelling by road. Large parts of the sub-region cannot easily access the airport by rail and will look to travel to it using a private car, taxi or bus. In this regard, there will inevitably be an increase in traffic movements to the JAAP area over the next decade. The challenge for the future airport operator, with the assistance of the Councils and third party landowners, will be to improve the quality of all forms of public transport so that those people that have the opportunity to travel using public transport choose that option ahead of the private car.

A high level of modal split could be achieved at Southend compared to other regional airports of a similar scale given the existing public transport systems in place and the scope which exists to improve the network further. Multi-modal interchanges need to be developed to facilitate ease of movement between transport modes and thought needs to be given to how the airport fits within the wider public transport strategy for Greater Southend.

4.12 and 4.13

The areas for change are supported.

d) Potential JAAP Scenarios

5.1 Which is your preferred scenario for the future of the Southend Airport Area?

Scenario 3 High Growth is the preferred scenario of CLLLP. In this regard, it achieves the best strategic fit, it conforms to Development Plan policy and will make a major contribution to the growth and vibrancy of both the local and the sub-regional economy in the short, medium and long term. The other scenarios arguably do not conform to Development Plan policy and should be discounted. This is reflected in the strategic fit tables produced in the Issues and Options Document.

5.2 How could your preferred option be further enhanced?

The possible route for Eastwoodbury Lane replacement could be modified to reflect the route shown in the attached plans. This would contribute to the provision of an essential link in the sub-regional road network with the potential for the road to cross the railway line and open up East Southend to the sub-region's primary highway network. This would be of great benefit to existing businesses in the east of Southend and greatly assist the long term regeneration of New Ranges. Critically, it would reduce the pressure on the road network within the town and create badly needed additional road capacity. It is imperative that a demand management approach is implemented for both the existing and additional road network to bring about tangible improvements to traffic congestion in the area.

The new route would also create land parcels that could assist in the creation of a park and ride multi-modal interchange serving both Rochford and Southend town centres in addition to the airport, as well as new sites for business development.

e) Summary and Conclusions

CLLLP has formed a strategic partnership with a prospective purchaser of the airport. Colonnade already has substantial land interests in Southend that could extend to the airport itself if their partner's bid is successful. Colonnade's bidding partner considers that the airport provides a good strategic fit with its other businesses in the Thames Gateway and that with substantial investment in both on-site and off-site infrastructure, the airport can be sustainably developed into a successful regional airport and a new economic pole of sub-regional significance. CLLLP commissioned Peter Brett Associates (PBA) to consider the potential of a relief road that could provide a direct link from the A127 to the airport site and PBA are satisfied that this is technically possible. It would entail only nominal demolition of properties, some of which CLLLP already own. This presents a long term solution to the highway infrastructure problems that blight the area and should therefore be incorporated into the High Growth scenario, which CLLLP consider to be the only possible option for the JAAP.

CLLLP look forward to playing a full and active role in the development of the JAAP and would be delighted to explain their proposals further with both Councils and other key stakeholders.

As Managing Director of Dedman Property Services, and in support of Southend Airport, I would like to submit my responses to some of the questions raised in the JAAP Options and Issues as follows;

Q3.1 - I agree with the overall vision for the JAAP which is generally in line with the aims and objectives of regional planning policy and also stakeholders like Renaissance Southend and local business groups.

Q4.1 - Assuming that the potential of the airport is optimised by Scenario 3, I see it as a catalyst for major employment and business growth as well as an efficient transport hub.

Q4. 4 - Providing the infrastructure proposed is implemented, I consider the area appropriate for growth in employment, particularly when made more easily accessible.

Q4.5 - Very much so, particularly with the level of improvements set out in Scenario 3.

Q4.7 - Yes the Green Belt should be revised in line with Scenario 3. Rochford District Council has an abundance of green Belt remaining and the buffer between Rochford and Southend would be maintained.



Q4.12 - Yes

Q5.1 - Scenario 3 is clearly my preference. I see the airport as a major asset to Southend and the wider area and its potential should be maximised rather than wasted. Scenario 1 would not realise any potential for growth and Scenarios 2 (a) and (b) could result in some investment being made at the risk of no return or benefit to the area in financial or other terms. The extension to the runway is of paramount importance to facilitate the immense potential.

The Southend Borough is already relatively densely developed and highly populated. A significant level of investment here will attract businesses by providing a high quality environment. It will also provide income to provide the necessary mitigation measures required to offset the environmental impact that will inevitably result from the increase in activity.

Response to L S A & Environs Issues & Options Report

By
Murray Foster
(local involvements include Chair of Southend Business & Tourism Partnership and Director of Essex Chambers of Commerce)


Q2.1 Are the assets of the JAAP area fully reported and understood?

Yes, fully reported and understood

Q2.2 Are there any important assets or issues missing from the assessment?

No, none

Q3.1 Do you agree with the overall Vision for the JAAP?

Yes

Q3.2 Do the objectives set out above cover the key requirements from the area?

Yes

Q3.3 Are there any other additional objectives that might help to guide the selection of the preferred option/options and JAAP?

Yes â€" the need for higher level of skilled jobs and more highly remunerated employment within south east Essex creating less dependency on London (city) jobs and retaining home grown talent

Q4.1 What do you see as the role of London Southend Airport in the future?

LSA has to be allowed to develop to become a regional airport for internal UK and west and southern European flights. This will then enable the sustainability and expansion of aero maintenance and servicing and other associated sectors capable of providing higher skilled jobs. It will also act as an external sign poster for south east Essex on UK and European map and act as a catalyst for further improving the external image of south east Essex and encouraging both potential inward investing businesses, visitors and new employees and new residents to view this area as the place to be

Q4.2 How can the airport best be developed to drive and support the local economy?

To be fully effective it has to become a regional airport coupled with sustaining/ expanding aero maintenance sector thereby stimulating supply chain and cluster sector business development including creative industries, leisure and tourism

Q4.3 What role should the JAAP play in supporting wider employment growth in the sub-region?

It has to be predicated on maximising the benefits of having a regional airport â€" Chelmsford, Basildon, Thurrock, Colchester (to mention a few) do not have an airport â€" it is our USP including a 7 mile coastline â€" use it or loose it. Southend/ Rochford have so few sites suitable for employment growth but it will not maximise LSA's site potential by letting it exist with present level of low level of flight activity, (indeed it would whither away and cease to exist) and rely on industrial estate expansion solely, which would not be forthcoming without the USP of an active regional airport. It would just be perceived as another industrial estate at an end of the line location.

Q4.4 Is the area appropriate for significant growth in employment?

Definitely, yes for reasons stated above and rail connectivity that will be integrally linked to the airport. However local road improvements need to be in place to support sustainability of such growth

Q4.5 Will the area be attractive to investors?

Yes provided that road and rail improvements are delivered and appropriate inward investment marketing is undertaken

Q4.6 Are there additional options to consider?

None

Q4.7 Should the Green Belt be considered for revision? If so how should it be revised?

Yes, there should be realignment to maximise the usage of land for employment purposes and also importantly for open spaces

Q4.8 What enhancements to the environment and amenity of the area should be made? What are the priority areas?

The opportunity should be taken to create better quality open spaces in more accessible locations embracing Green Grid and Parklands ambitions

Q4.9 What do you see as the greatest potential impact of development in the JAAP and how can it be mitigated?

Increasing pressure on transport networks and therefore necessary to maximise usage of rail for air passengers/ employees and improve local road infrastructure. Also need to restrict night time flight activity to minimise any potential noise level impact on local residents

Q4.10 What do you consider to be the transport priorities for the JAAP?

Maximise usage of rail and improve quality of local road linkages and bus services


Q4.11 How can a shift from car use to other modes of transport be achieved?

By encouraging employers located within JAAP area to incentivise/ encourage employees to car share, use public transport, cycle

Q4.12 Do you agree with the proposed areas for change?

Yes

Q4.13 Are there any areas that should be added or removed? Why?

None

Q5.1 Which is your preferred Scenario for the future of the Southend Airport area?

Scenario 3 â€" anything less will result in loosing a catalyst for developing a vibrant employment centre involving high skilled jobs plus local supply chain benefits and additionally high profile external sign poster and improved image creator for south east Essex

Q5.2 How could your preferred scenario be further enhanced?

It is contingent on improvement to local road links and bus services

Q5.3 Are there any other scenarios which you feel have not been considered?

None

Apologies for late response and hand written reply.

To make things easier to read I have listed my answers on the following pages 1 to 4.

Re: Planning Policy Document, London Southend Airport JAAP

The main Question that I would like to answer is Q5.3. I think that Scenario 1 should include the Runway Extension. My contention for this is that this would allow for fully laden Aircraft such as Boeing 737 Type to take off and land, therefore encouraging Operators of this type of Aircraft to use Southend Airport, and would allow the Airport and it's Environs to develop naturally, in order to keep pace with the increased usage. I futher think that diverting Eastwoodbury Lane to be unnecessary, as the existing road could be channelled under the Runway Extension as applied on other Airport sites.

I generally agree with Q3.1, although I believe that some of the proposals go beyond what is required for, what is essentially a small Airport.

Regarding Q4.2, I believe that, as I have already stated the natural progression from extending the Runway will drive the local economy forward, and that Facilities already exist to support the Airport. eg Engineering, Supplies etc.

Q4.4 Employment will always expand when opportunities are in place.

Q4.5 Investors will usually be attracted where opportunities exist.

Q4.7 I do not believe that the Green Belt should be revissed, as I am sure that Brownfield Sites already exist.

Q4.10 Improvement of Rail facilities, also Local bus services, possible change to electric traction to reduce air pollution.

Q4.11 I do not think that this is possible in the short term, due to the shift working usually expected at this type of Employer.

Finally I appreciate the opportunity to comment in what I believe is a necessary facility to the communities of Rochford, Southend and surrounding areas.

Should of happend years ago instead of London City.

Thank you for sending me a copy of the above document. I regret I have not been able to give the amount of consideration to it that I would have liked but, as you know, I only became aware of its existence as the result of the item in last Friday's (1st August) issue of the Southend Standard.

My comments relate directly to the list of questions in its Appendix A and are from the standpoint of a resident whose quality of life hinges on the outcome of the Council's deliberations. I am frankly surprised and not a little disappointed that residents like ourselves have yet to hear anything from the Council itself on the matter.

Further to my letter of the 1st July, I have now had an opportunity of discussing with my clients, Ipeco Holdings Limited, the Issues & Options report prepared by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Rochford District Council in connection with the Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP), and as one of the largest employers within the area under consideration I have been asked to make the following representations on their behalf.

By way of background information, Ipeco is a family owned private limited company established 47 years ago and is firmly positioned in the aero space/defence industry as designers and manufacturers of innovative products. The company employ 600 people, 500 of which are located in Southend, 50% live within the Borough and a further 30% live within Rochford and Castle Point. The company has been the sole supplier to Boeing of Flight deck seating for the last 20 years and have now been awarded a contract for the new 787 aircraft through to 2021. Apart from providing other aircraft manufacturers with a similar product, they also provide cabin attendant and executive passenger seating together with galley equipment and bespoke internal refurbishment for private executive aircraft. Other trading companies with the Group produce machine components, composites and defence electronics. The core business operates from five buildings in Aviation Way comprising over 200,000 sq ft of manufacturing space with an additional site in Shoeburyness plus two elsewhere in the UK and two sites in the USA, 75% of sales are exports.

The present core business operates from the five individual buildings in Aviation Way that have been acquired piecemeal over the years, some of which are now aging and the split locations inevitably increases production costs. Therefore the creation of further employment related land within immediate proximity to Ipeco's existing operation provides the company with an opportunity to consider regeneration close to their present location, and within this context Ipeco has increased its workforce since 2006 and developed their own employment base with an in-house training centre accommodating over 30 apprentices on a four year scheme.

With regard to the Issues & Options report, the company feels there is very little merit in pursuing Scenario 1, Low Growth as this appears unlikely to provide any benefits to those businesses already existing within Aviation Way, apart from creation of a limited amount of additional light industrial floor space and the correspondingly small increase in employment. This scenario basically fails to meet the policy aspirations set out for the JAAP in terms of regeneration and potential growth in employment.

Scenario 2(a), Medium Growth does introduce a new business park facility with the provision of improved access from Cherry Orchard Way and a small residential development on the former brickworks, but this proposal is limited in its objectives and provides little enhancement over and above the low growth scenario and is unlikely to fulfil the longer term requirements.

Scenario 2(b), Medium Growth envisages London Southend Airport becoming a driver of the sub regional economy by increasing passenger capacity together with relocation of the terminal buildings and, more importantly, a direct railway connection to London. However, the employment related land outside the Airport perimeter is no greater than Scenario 2(a) and therefore any encouragement of new business would be limited. This appears inconsistent with Southend Airport providing the catalyst for the wider development of the area within the JAAP.

Scenario 3, High Growth, provides the opportunity of improving the existing business area which is dated and of mixed use together with the potential of significantly increasing employment levels on the back of the proposals for upgrading the Airport, and would appear to be more consistent with the policy under the Regional Spatial Strategy (East of England). Scenario 3 would also provide an opportunity of meeting future targets for Rochford and Southend so far as employment is concerned, in addition to which it will sustain the existing employment base. In the opinion of our clients a comprehensive scheme envisaged by Scenario 3 provides a basis to achieve the objectives set out in the JAAP apart from which the land is located on the north west side of the town with immediate access to the A127 Southend Arterial Road. This is likely to prove far more attractive to potential businesses than the existing industrial/business areas east of the town where the infrastructure is inadequate.

We have briefly referred to the Draft Sustainability Appraisal in support of the options referred to under the Joint Area Action Plan which we understand forms part of the planning process, but we have no specific comments or observations in response at this point in time other than to say the positive outcome of economic growth under Scenario 3 appears to outweigh the negative considerations which are primarily environmental, a number of which can be addressed by careful planning of future development of the land within the JAAP.

We understand further consultation will take place once a draft plan has been published prior to the submission of the JAAP to the Secretary of State, who will then initiate a Public Inquiry to be held in front of a Planning Inspector.

In the meantime if we can be of any further assistance in connection with these representations submitted on behalf of Ipeco Holdings Limited, then we shall be pleased to hear from you accordingly.

Given that airport useage for scheduled passenger services will always be runway limited, it is important that all classes of aviation continue to be supported. To help facilitate this, building within the airport boundary should be minimised. Aircraft approach tracks must be safeguarded from developments.

Thank you for consulting the RSPB on the proposed second runway at London Southend Airport.

We have considered the information provided in the Joint Area Action Plan Issues and Options Report, and having reviewed this information, we have serious concerns regarding the Issues and Options Report. Our concerns are based on the grounds that the expansion of Southend Airport would increase the capacity of the airport significantly, increase air transport movements and lead to an associated increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which have been shown to contribute to climate change that threatens biodiversity nationally and internationally.

RSPB policy on increasing air travel/transport

The RSPB have serious concerns about the current forecasts for future growth in air travel. Our policy on airports has been formulated after long and deliberate thought and has been informed by independent research we have commissioned to help us understand the way the aviation business operates today and is likely to operate in future. We are in no doubt that set against the current level of airport provision in the South East of England, the economic and social value of further expansion in aviation is far outweighed by its economic, social and environmental costs. Aviation is an increasing contributor to climate change through the emission of "greenhouse gases2 and can pollute locally.

Climate change is now recognised as the single greatest long term threat to the world's biodiversity. It also brings enormous implications for people and humanity worldwide and the ability to which mankind is able to act to limit climate change is likely to be of increasing impact. Addressing the causes of climate change through mitigation (ie greenhouse pollution reduction) measures would, if successful, provide the most significant contribution to addressing the impact of climate change on biodiversity, both in the UK and globally.

Consequently, the RSPB does not want to see unrestricted growth in airport capacity, as we believe there would be unacceptable effects on the environment. Our policy is thus one of questioning the need for expansion of existing or creation of new airports, of asking government to recognise air travel has serious environmental consequences, and to seek and promote ways government can manage the demand for air travel.

In the aviation Green Paper, the Government expressed its intention to adopt a sustainable aviation policy. Environmental NGOs, including the RSPB argued that this should be delivered by constraining further demand through a basket of measures aimed at reflecting the true cost of aviation to the consumer. In the event, Government rejected this approach; the White Paper gives the green light to projects that meet unconstrained demand estimates to 2030. In its place, Government announced its intention to offset increased emissions through an emissions trading scheme. The RSPB has serious reservations about this approach, as the scheme is not in place before increases in capacity, such as at Southend, are being initiated. The Government's failure to adopt any significant measures to manage demand and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from the aviation sector, now threatens to undermine its whole approach to containing climate change.

If you require any further information regarding the RSPB's views on this proposal or our policies on aviation and climate change, please do contact us.