Star Lane Industrial Estate

If acceptable and suitable relocation of existing local businesses can be accommodated, then this option should be considered. The environmental impact of the relocation of the local work force must be of prime concern.

Developing brown field sites has less impact on the area.

PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth

This document was published in December 2009 and is material to the extent that it is likely to alter the extent to which RDC can rely on redeveloping its existing employment sites for alternate uses as set out in the SCS. In this context making the most efficient and effective use of sites within the Green Belt is important and justifies the need to plan flexibly by allowing scope for additional housing on identified Green Belt sites.

Policy EC2 of PPS4 provides direct policy advice on planning for sustainable economic growth. Criterion a) seeks a positive approach through identifying priority areas where there is deprivation and where regeneration is urgently required. This is not the case with the majority of the Star lane Industrial area, albeit the brickworks part of the site would be suitable. Criterion b) seeks support for existing business sectors and planning for their expansion and contraction. A strategy for the the removal of existing businesses would be at odds with PPS4. Criterion i) only encourages alternative uses if it is on vacant or derelict buildings (this relates only to the brickworks). This is not the case at the bulk of the Star Lane Estate at Great Wakering.

Star Lane Industrial Estate and Brickworks, Great Wakering, page 58 to 60: The site includes a disused brickworks to the south and to the north a range of employment uses. It has been acquired by Inner London Group who specialise in local authority partnerships, healthcare, key worker and other homes provision. There are no proposals for this site. The brickworks part of the site in question has been cleared of all buildings. I note that any delivery is contingent on a replacement employment site being found which would presumably be on Green Belt land as noted in the SCS at Policy ED4. The employment area is adjacent to Great Wakering and near the north eastern edge of Southend On Sea. The occupied employment area provides a valuable economic base in an outlying rural area. Most of the units are occupied. The complete removal of a business use from this location would not be something that should be encouraged as it would run contrary to the recently issued PPS4 which 'looks to build prosperous communities in urban and rural areas'. If this site were redeveloped completely for residential it would potentially require longer commutes from those living locally.

The brickworks part of the site is vacant and derelict buildings have been cleared. It provides potential for employment land but its character and derelict state would align with PPS3 and PPS4 and some housing could be included on this.

The existing employment site contains a number of industrial uses for small local businesses in a sustainable location. The industrial estate has a high occupancy level, and is a well established employment location. PPS4 supports the safeguarding of land from other uses at a local level. The Council's evidence base does not support the relocation/closure of Star Lane Industrial Estate, and it should be retained accordingly.

The redevelopment of the industrial estate site is supported. This is a classic previously developed site (PDL) and could be redeveloped alongside other land to the south (i.e. the disused brickworks site) and land south of the High Street (i.e. WGW1) to provide an integrated mixed-use development including housing, employment, open space and a local wildlife site and can bring environmental benefits to the local community with no adverse inpact on the Green belt.

Consideration will have to be given to any potential contamination issues that might arise out of this sites previous use as an industrial estate.

Please see our general comments.

Replacing Star Lane Industrial Estate with affordable housing would be most beneficial to Hockley in my opinion, especially given the proximity of the site to Hockley Railway Station. Houses for young professionals and first time buyers in this area must be the focus of new dwellings and moving Star Lane Industrial Estate is a sensible proposal.

To meet the number of new jobs required in the RSS, if sites are de-allocated, then additional employment sites will be required. As the supply of employment land within the District is limited, any new sites will require the release of Green Belt land. As these sites will be outside of the existing urban areas, it is unlikely that these sites will be in as sustainable locations as the existing employment sites.

This site is well located with regards the strategic road network and as such it is considered to be a sustainable location

In addition, it is noted that Great Wakering is proposed to have an additional 250 new dwellings as one the preferred housing options (WGW). Combined with the housing proposed with the Star Lane Industrial Estate and Star Lane Industrial Estate, would significantly increase the size of the settlement, without providing sufficient employment opportunities. This would increase the level of out commuting and given the characteristics of the District, the majority of this would be by private car.

Instead of developing the whole site for residential, it would be more appropriate to redevelop the site for a mixed use scheme, including an element of new purpose built commercial space to meet current employment demands, in accordance with the provisions of PPS1 and PPS4.

HAWKWELL PARISH COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO ALLOCATIONS DPD DISCUSSION AND CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

1 INTRODUCTION:

Hawkwell Parish Council is still of the opinion that a new village should be created in South West Rayleigh to enable the benefits of easy access to the highway network to be realised and where all the infrastructure could be provided in a phased way without compromising existing settlements.

We consider that a Local Development Framework should be a document that sets out the strategy for spatial planning in the district. Whilst we understand that the Planning Authority has a statutory obligation to undertake a call for sites we are firmly of the opinion that such an approach mitigates against a truly strategic approach with the result that around 200 sites have now being put forward. We note that the DPD asserts that, of the 3,790 dwellings that have to provided according to the East of England Plan, some 2745 of these dwellings will be on green belt. The maths is simple, that means over 72% of the dwellings will be on green belt which is contrary to the stated policy of using brown field sites for the majority of these new dwellings. With such a gross distortion of the guidelines established by government a truly strategic approach (ie a new settlement) is all the more essential.

However, bearing in mind the above view, the Parish will respond to the proposed site allocations on the basis of preference for those which will do the least damage and provide the best defence to the remaining greenbelt. In this respect sites in Rayleigh, Rawreth area NLR5 seem the most suitable option.

2 RESIDENTIAL:

West Rayleigh

NLR5 is probably the best option because it has a strong defensible boundary and a bus service could be provided between London Rd and Rawreth Lane.

West Rochford

600 dwellings and a school in this location would destroy the rural nature of Hall Road. It would reduce and indeed almost remove the differentiation between Rochford and Hawkwell and is a prime example of urban creep. It will contribute to congestion as traffic tries to access the A127 via the B1013 Cherry Orchard Way. The loss of high quality agricultural land is always regrettable, especially in view of recent comment in the popular press on the need to protect prime agricultural land for food production in the coming years. Option WR1 is possibly the least damaging if the hedge line is protected along Ironwell Lane and Hall Road and access to Ironwell Lane by motor vehicle is prohibited.

West Hockley WH2

This option is preferred because it has previous industrial use and can be accessed off Folly Lane.

South Hawkwell 175 dwellings

The Parish Council maintains that this location is unsuitable and does not meet the sustainability requirements. Of these options, SH2 is the least damaging because it retains the wooded area behind Thorpe Close.


SH3 or SH4

These options must not be entertained because they encompass land between Rectory Road and Hall Road as well as Hawkwell Nursery site. The Jewson's site as a brown field site should, with resolution of access problems, take some of the allocation for South Hawkwell.

East Ashingdon 100 dwellings and land for extension of King Edmond School

Kind Edmond School would be large enough if a secondary school was provided in Great Wakering. This would save long journeys for the children (some 600 bussed every day causing increased traffic and pollution to local roads). However, Option EA is the least damaging as it limits development to one side of Brays Lane.

South West Hullbridge 500 dwellings

Option SWH1 is probably the least damaging.

South Canewdon 60 dwellings

SC6 is the most suitable providing a defensible boundary can be maintained.

South East Ashingdon 500 dwellings

All of the sites are unsuitable because they have an impact on Oxford Road.

SEA1 could be accessed off Oxford Road, The Drive and Ashingdon Road which will cause further traffic problems in these locations. West Great Wakering Option WGW5 would be most suitable.

Rawreth Industrial Estate

It is possibly better relocated and replaced by housing.

Stambridge Mills

This site would benefit from being zoned for housing providing public access is maintained to the waterfront.

Star Lane Industrial Estate and Star Lane Brickworks could accommodate housing although it is well located as an industrial site.

Eldon Way/Foundry Estate

Eldon Way should stay as local employers convenient for the station and has leisure uses. The Foundry Site could well be relocated and developed for housing, it would be a natural extension to the flats either side of Railway approach.


Gypsy and Traveller site locations

Option GT3 is the most suitable as it is closer to shops and schools.

3 ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAND:

West Rayleigh E18

Seems the most suitable because of its Highway location.

South of Great Wakering

Option E22 offers the least disruption to residents and has less impact on Poynters Lane.

4 ENVIRONMENTAL ALLOCATIONS:

The Parish Council agrees that areas shown on figure 4.3 and listed in table 41 should be allocated wildlife sites. Also agree that figure 4.4 should be allocated as the upper Roach Valley.

We also agree that the Coastal protection Belt should be shown as figure 4.5.

5 COMMUNITY FACILITIES:

Education

The Parish agrees in principle with the approach that a new Primary School be provided within future residential locations.

If the proposed site west of Rochford is on the eastern side of the new development it would appear to be far too near Rochford Primary we would question the need in this location.

Of the options presented Option KES2 is the most suitable however we maintain the view that if a new Secondary School were built in Great Wakering there would be no need to extend Kind Edmonds School and a large number of children would have their journey to school substantially reduced .

Open Space

We agree with the open space being protected through OS1 and consider that sites must be allocated rather than to left to determination by the vagary of negotiations with developers. We are again offended by the continuance of the Planning Authority to regard Hawkwell as a sub set of Hockley (there is no mention of Hawkwell in figure 5.1) - Glencroft is in Hawkwell, it is leased and managed by Hawkwell ( as are Spencers and Magnolia) and to state on page 127 that it is in Hockley undermines our confidence in the knowledge of the author of the detail of the layout of the district and the importance of community identity in such an important document.

Community Facilities

We believe community facilities proposed in (Option CF1) and illustrated and listed in figure 5.2 must be safeguarded. However we note that no account has been taken of the other community facilities that exist in the district (eg we draw specific attention to Hawkwell Village & Ashingdon & East Hawkwell Village Halls - both charitable trusts) that make significant contributions to community in the district, these too must be safeguarded.

6. TOWN CENTRES:

Rayleigh Town Centre Option TC1

Existing town centre boundary to be maintained.

Rochford TC4 is less restrictive but also allows customers to move around a smaller area.

Hockley Option TC8 seems the best option providing a more contained area.

We support the view that Hockley should be re-allocated as a District Centre.

Option TC12 Rayleigh

There must be a distinction between primary and secondary shopping frontages to maintain a vibrant town centre.

Rochford TC13

The distinction between secondary and primary should be maintained. The mixed-use development must be included in the primary shopping area because it contains the Supermarket.

Hockley TC15

We support this option as it utilises the existing primary shopping frontage to form primary shopping area.


7 OTHER ISSUES AND NEXT STEPS:

Hawkwell Parish Council wishes to be represented at The Examination in Public.

RE: ALLOCATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PLAN DOCUMENTS



Thank you for giving Anglian Water the opportunity to comment on the above document.



Please find our comments summarized on the attached document.

The Lakes (Public Open Space)

Improve the access from Exhibition Lane to cope with prams and pushchairs etc.
Create some grassed areas and a play are for small children to play.
Regenerate the small lakes and improve the swims.
Create a new access road to the existing parking area.
Enlarge and improve the existing car park.

Industrial Estate.

Relocate to the south and enlarge a little.
Use land for housing

Existing Brickworks

Use for housing.

Field south of brickworks

Use for housing.
Create a barrier of green between the Industrial Estate and the New Housing.

Problems

How will the existing school cope with the influx of children from the new estate?

There is already a problem with parents transporting their children to and from school at the moment, how will the area cope with a considerable increase of traffic in the surrounding area?

Google map supplied, see paper copy for details.

Suggest a new development in West Rayleigh to accommodate Rochford's housing allocation should be provided in a new village to take advantage from the highway network of A127, A130 and A1245 where all the infrastructure can be provided in a phased manner without compromising existing settlements.

Various comments received, for further details see paper copy.