4.2.17

Thank you for your email of 30 November consulting The Theatres Trust on the issues and options for the Rayleigh Area Action Plan.

The Theatres Trust is the national advisory public body for theatres and a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting land on which there is a theatre. This applies to all theatre buildings, old and new, in current use, in other uses, or disused. Established by The Theatres Trust Act 1976 'to promote the better protection of theatres', our main objective is to safeguard theatre use, or the potential for such use but we also provide expert advice on design, conservation, property and planning matters to theatre operators, local authorities and official bodies.

Due to the specific nature of the Trust's remit we are concerned with the protection and promotion of theatres and therefore anticipate policies relating to cultural facilities.

Question 4a

We support the creation of new access routes in Issue 3 as detailed in para.4.2.17, regarding the cluster of leisure and cultural uses around Rayleigh Mount. We also support the creation of new courtyard shopping areas which would provide better connectivity with the High Street. The courtyard squares could also include some appropriate venues for evening entertainments to expand the leisure offer, support vitality and help to minimise crime and disorder after the shops close for the day.

We look forward to being consulted on further planning policy documents.

One building in this area which might be regarded as detrimental to the quality of the Conservation Area (at least as far as it's external appearance is concerned) is the Mill arts and events centre. It is utterly out of keeping with the Windmill - indeed, it turns its back on the Windmill entirely, and detracts from it's setting.
Should it be considered for demolition and rebuilding? A replacement building might include some retail units as well as cultural/leisure facilities, to entice more people into Bellingham Lane. In fact, redevelopment might allow a purpose designed market area to be created (drawing people up to the Windmill).
The new building could face on to the Windmill and improve it's setting- perhaps it might allow for coach parking, which is not really possible at present, to make this area more visitor friendly.
This might be a very long-term aspiration, rather than anything that could be considered in the short term, but it is worth thinking about. At least it is a building the District Council actually owns, and can control directly, albeit it is managed by a private company.