Upper Roach Valley

Renaissance Southend Ltd (RSL) recognises the potential set out for the Upper Roach Valley and would support the aspiration for more 'informal green space' in Rochford, and would seek to work closely with Rochford and other stakeholder to identify specific opportunities.

Character of Place
Whilst agreeing it is desirable to keep the traditional buildings, where possible the public would wish to see any new build in keeping and fitting in with the character of the surrounding areas.

Infrastructure, Leisure and Tourism
Without a comprehensive assurance that the Infrastructure i.e. Sewers, Roads, Bus Routes, Schools, Recreational and Medical Facilities are dealt with at the OUTSET of ANY new scheme would occur, then without this assurance, a ghetto type scheme would occur, with building being done for the sake of putting up bricks and mortar. At this moment in time there is great concern at the reduction of bus services and bus routes. This council feels it is rather a short sighted view and needs to be dealt with in the very near future.

Green Areas
It is vital our Green areas, some under Green Belt and some under recreational land is retained where possible. If this is reduced too much then the question will be that the health of the new and existing population will start to suffer. The idea of the Upper Roach Valley and Wallasea Island schemes is good - for those who are able to travel to and take advantage of these areas. They will of course aid the conservation of the wildlife habitats for all to benefit by.

Economic Development
Under this heading comes London Southend Airport. Now that the lease has been purchased we will all wait with some trepidation for the "preferred options" to come to light. There are very few people who do not want the Airport to succeed but the overwhelming concern is regarding the likelihood of the 24 hour operational action at the Airport, and with the proposed obvious increase in flights, quite a large proportion of the residents of both Rochford and Southend would have very little sleep. This would cause enormous health and economic problems - watch this space very carefully.

Housing
Unfortunately, no actual maps are yet available, the location on the given maps being somewhat vague. There is a genuine concern that the infrastructure for a further 2489 dwellings will be unable to cope BUT we realise, with an ever increasing population they are necessary.
Yes, they can be added on to already existing areas but perhaps a new village could be created towards the Rawreth Lane - London Road are of Rayleigh, bearing in mind a large new build has already been completed on the Park School Site. This would include shopping areas, schools, medical and recreational areas including village halls and of course the very necessary public transport facilities.

Green Belt
There must be a limited and tightly controlled release of Green Belt, but only if absolutely necessary. Once a start is made, without very tight control, they you might as well say bye-bye to it. It is a very necessary Green Lung.
Again no actual proposed plans are available.


Overall Views
Overall, whilst we do agree it is very necessary to look at sites for new housing and employment facilities etc., to be built and encouraged, without the infrastructure that is already in existence being vastly improved i.e. farmers making sure all ditches are cleared and lined where necessary to stop flooding, adequate sewage pipes and drains are attended to, roads and pavements brought up to date, then if the relevant Councils do not address these problems, what chance is there for any new proposals being dealt with properly.

Comments from the FSB SE Essex Branch Vice Chairman.

Due to the lack of a sustainable road transport infrastructure in the district, the need to ensure that each centre of population has a concentration of suitable commercial premises to enable local employment to succeed. This could be attained by the careful introduction of commercial centres within the community. Better utilization of existing building and out buildings, farm and redundant properties which would lead to local employment possibilities. Local mini business centres could mushroom with the right type and size of accommodation for starter companies. There would be a need for various types of business accommodation as not all businesses will be in the high tech category. This could lead to growth areas being formed which could lead onto larger estates sited in the west of the district.

There is a common belief that we need to embrace high tech industries. The presented base information indicates not only are we an area of small and ultra small businesses there is a vast diversity of trades of which many are service based.

With the recently announced purchaser of the Airport the potential development based on other locations, leans to the possibility of large warehousing and transport based industry. This, though it will bring employment to the area, will only bring a certain type of employment and the need to have a better scatter of types of businesses in the location possibly has been missed. There will now be an urgent need to upgrade the road and rail infrastructure to cope with the increase in goods movement. The demise of yet another air support company may in turn mean a problem for growth in the form of commercial air travel, thus aircraft based industries must not be relied upon as the answer to future employment. The need to open the immediate area to low tech industries and small and micro small businesses is paramount.

The presented vision of creating a business park for larger concerns in the west of the district, to release much needed housing allocation, is in the bases a reasonable solution. Large transporters would not have to negotiate the restricted road infrastructure of the district. Though we have existing large companies who are well established within the district, some who would have trouble relocating due to the type and size of their operation eg Baltic Wharf .

There also could be a counter argument in that due to the lack of road infrastructure, there may be a problem of access at peak times for staff. This is a common problem on our existing trading estates such as Purdies Estate Rochford. Also the need to move staff from one side of the district to the other will not help the already inadequate transport system. The positive is there is direct access to major road system. But there may be also a need to investigate if there is a need of an upgrade of the rail infrastructure, this is due to the inadequacy of the national road infrastructure of the future.

The three main retail centres are at this time having a real challenging time. Due to the restraints of public spending and the need to use car parking fees as a source of revenue does not make it easy for the high street retailers. As the district originated from market towns and we can't compete with the out of town shopping centres and large super markets, should we be. looking at returning to the small centres with convenience/service stores. With more "on street" drop by parking, maybe pedestrian walk ways areas. Smaller towns and villages to adopt a similar style of small retail outlets. New residential developments should be required as part of the development include "Corner Shop" type units. This not only forms a micro community but helps in retaining the "spend" within the district and the need not to have to travel to the major shopping areas for the basic essentials.

If the ideals of the tourism initiative are implanted into the district, the need for more cheap but adequate accommodation within the newly developed countryside, eg Wild Coast at Wallasea, Jubilee Park at Hawkwell. There will be a need to change planning policy to accept this type of development. Yet there must also be suitable hotel accommodation in the west of the district to cover the proposed new industrial area.

There are concerns that the Core Strategy does not cover the future of the Roach and its tributies from the aspect of the existing users of the river. There seems to be scant regard to the illegal waterside development in the area, House boats, live a board's, waterside constructions. Following the latest Appeal Decision at Pagelsham Boatyard is the now a need to look again at a coherent policy on House boats/ Live Aboard Craft on the rivers.

The lack of access by the public to the riverside both on the Roach and the Crouch. There is a great need to open up such public access to the rivers as we only have one point at Hullbridge which is not designated as a slipway but a road end.

The proposed increase in commercial boat yards/ Marina's is not matched by the decrease in river traffic and boats in the rivers. The CHA report a marked drop in mooring take up, to gain better access to the water will mean negotiations with bordering land owners. The problem as always will be controlled access and costs.

In reflection and in reading the document again after composing the contents of this reply I note many of the points raised have been covered or partially discussed in the LGF (October revision) document.