Is there an alternative the Council should consider?

If the square is pedestrianised, then it should be in whole rather than in part. Do it completely or not at all. Disabled parking could be provided in West Street, a short distance to the square. Taxis could keep one side of the rank and the bus can stay.
Free parking should be provided in Back lane for 1 hr. This would bring Rochford much needed visitors and support for local business. We should lead the county/country in this endeavour. Or online shopping will prevail.

1. Do not remove free parking or reduce number of parking spaces in the Square. Reducing the ability for free short term visits to retailers, will in my opinion, have a detrimental effect on trade and may force business closures. We do not want 'charity shops' to replace existing small businesses.
2. Traffic congestion caused by cars queuing to get into the Square is a result of a past change to the entrance/exit. Reverse these.
3. Taxi rank to be on the north side of the 'island' only. This should be in conjunction with 2. above.

Widening the northern footpath slightly would be helpful, with the loss of perhaps 2 spaces one east side and one west. Definitely reverse the in-out and remove the taxi waiting so more cars can wait for a space and reduce the size of the island slightly so cars can still manouvre around the waiting bus(es).

The free parking in the square should remain but the taxi rank should be moved to give additional spaces. With these changes the in & out should reversed back to the way it was this would stop the congestion at the entrance to the square and give more space to allow cars to pass any bus at the bus stop.

The other changes per posed would affect the local businesses as it would be easer and more convenient to shop at other destinations

I think they have got it wrong we need the buses not to go down West Street but continue along North Street and down Dalys Road as the people coming in and out of the station already walk from Dalys Road in the morning to get a train that way we could more parking in the square and make it 30mins not 1hour and 1hours for disabled and only a telephone for taxi and the traffic to come up West Street for the square this would this would keep the traffic freer flowing please pass my view on thanks.

The Parish Council would suggest that the entrance to the parking bays in the market square revert back to previous years when the entrance was opposite Barclays Bank and the exit was opposite the dry cleaners. Members also suggest a box junction as you enter West Street from South Street.

I am of the opinion that if the square must be altered then options 1 & 2 on there own are not suitable as they stand I have been a Rochford Taxi Driver for the past 11 years. an altered version of option1 would be preferred with double row of taxis inside the island so we are not losing 40% of our trading area,as seems to have been proposed by the chamber of commerce in the past....would they like to lose 40% of there retail space? .In my opinion It appears that there has been very little thought if any given to the elderly and infirm residents that use the taxis to do there shopping Etc in the square some of these are so infirm we regularly take them to the day centre and doctors in back lane, these customers will not be able to carry their shopping or get themselves to a taxi rank in back lane which being out of sight of the main square and in an insecure area to wait this is not a safe area for vunerable elderly and infirm passengers to wait.
Option1 Shows pay to park bays on the roadside of the pavement island this would be good six days a week but on Market days these space should revert to a taxi rank as the market traders will take all of the square for their stalls.
I still believe that having any public parking will not stop some of the general public will still queue for any spaces and this will still result in problems for buses and others trying to get into West St.
Finally when the uk government has taken on board that the loss of town centre parking is detrimental to high street trade why is R.D.C. determined to to change the square? if only to sort out the queues going into west st then put down RED LINES or a YELLOW BOX and enforce them with regular CEO patrols and or cameras.

I think that parking should be scrapped altogether. Pave over the entire area (but obviously keeping the road open for buses). It is a nightmare there, with inconsiderate drivers just plonking themselves on the KEEP CLEAR area, blocking buses, which then results in South Street getting blocked. You should make the first half an hour in Back Lane FREE OF CHARGE!! Perhaps some drivers would have parked there instead had this been put in place previoulsy, instead of blocking South Street. Just imagine how nice the square will look and what a pleasant area it will become for shopping - the cafe could put out more tables for people to enjoy the sunshine, for example. I think your plan of keeping up to 10 spaces will not work - you will still get people queuing and being inconsiderate, also the fact that you will make it pay and display is greedy!!! As drivers we get penilised and charged heavily where ever we go! This should be free, especially as the majority of people only stop by for a few minutes anyway - scrap it, and get people to use Back Lane by making the first half an hour free.

Unfortunately, when the Council last 'played around' with the Square it made matters worse. The entrance for cars to park in the Square was changed from entry at the west end to entry at the east end, thereby causing congestion backing into South Street and not allowing cars and buses to move through. When the entrance was at the west end of the Square, cars which couldn't obtain a parking space just moved on down West Street and into the car park which, once again through a Council cock-up, cannot now be entered from West Street due to the metal grid across the car park exit, so drivers have to go along Bradley Way to enter now. Why not change this back to how it was as well as the old system worked well 15 years ago and would still work well again today.
Other than moving the entrance to the Square as suggested above, my only other recommendation would be to place a 'yellow box' area at the top of West Street down to the corner of Lo-Cost to allow buses to turn into the Square without having to queue behind waiting cars.
With the above in place there would be no loss of parking spaces, less congestion for through traffic and most shopkeepers content that their businesses won't suffer from customers going elsewhere to shop and Council interference.
I'd be interested to know what the consensus of opinion is of all the Square shopkeepers as it is their livelihood that you're playing with. Customers can go anywhere and if you make it more difficult for them for easy parking and convenient shopping then the consumer will just go elsewhere - hence the success of the major supermarkets just out of town.

Regarding 'improvement' proposals to Rochford Market Square I am somewhat astonished to hear that there are funds available to carry out unnecessary work when street lights are being turned off to save money! If it's from a different budget it's still a waste of money. The only 'real' problem in this area is car owners ignoring the white painted road marking which says 'no queing' from the junction with North Street. It is my opinion that this would not occur if the existing road marking was replaced with yellow cross hatched and 'policed'. If I had to choose an option it would be Option 1 primarily because 1) shoppers would still have close access to the shops and 2) It retains a taxi rank that is visible and vital particularly for the disabled.

Please dont pedestrianise the square,it is unique.To help with the queuing aspect, revert back to the old entrance to the Squares car parking.There are a lot of elderly and infirm people in Rochford that need to park near to the shops and although it has a comprehensive variety of shops you dont need to be in the Square for more than an hour, if need be, the main carpark, which needs better signage, could be used.To pedestrianise the Square would be the death of it and all its independant shops.
Spend the money on making the roads better

I do feel that the Square is unique and should remain accessible to as many people as possible. Reducing car parking space will reduce the number of people and hence affect retail and other business. It does not seem logical to widen pavements if it is less accessible to people. The taxi stand within the Square should be removed to Ship Lane car park area but retaining 3 or 4 spaces opposite the bus stop.

Overall, I agree that we must think about improvements but there is really not much wrong with what we have now.

Yes, I would like to see cars banned from Rochford Square. It is not only the square that is congested but the hold ups in South Street and East Street whilst cars try to get into West Street and also buses.

However I am very mindful of elderly and people with walking difficulties and the people who need disabled bays. There is only 1 disabled bay in the square at the moment and this is not enough.

Yes make the square pedestrian only but leave the bus stop where it is, as people with walking difficulties would not be able to walk down to the next bus stop, it is too far. Move the taxi rank to North Street and make those parking bays for the disabled.

Although I live in Southend (near the airport) we always visit Rochford for shopping and banking. We have to use taxis as I cannot walk more than about 10-15 yards without support and I am no longer allowed to drive.

I find the current pavement width adequate when I am pushed in a wheelchair.

For the Market Square to prosper I believe you must cater for all - pedestrians, cars, buses and taxis, and make them convenient and free. I think current arrangements are ok, any move of taxis and cars/buses will be detrimental.

If you are not careful there will not be pedestrians using the square and shops/banks will close.

I never experienced the traffic in the opposite direction so I cannot comment.

Traffic problems at Horners Corner at present could be helped by marking the road about halfway to the Spar Market shop with crossed yellow lines to prevent cars queuing to the Market Square and causing problems especially for buses.

Not all older people have mobile phones and therefore taxi parking must stay. If you finally decide against my wishes and pedestrianise the square, please do not use cobble stones. These are a hazard for the elderly.

Reducing the size of the square by widening the pavements will adversely affect business on market day.

I do not think you need larger retail units.

Please remember a lot of older people use Rochford Square - I have seen events using the Square in its present form so not a lot needs to change.

I do not think a 'café culture' will fit in with the current population.

Please leave well alone so the Rochford Square will survive.

The Council should not consider either option unless it is willing to allow free parking in Back Lane and Ship Lane. The Council needs to be doing more to encourage businesses in Rochford than it does now. It is bad enough that its policy of high rates ensures that businesses struggle to survive anyway but cutting the amount of parking in the Square as well is just adding insult to injury. This is not France. A café culture will not work here, especially when most of the businesses in the Square would not require outside seating.

the current use of the market square is best for both pedestrians and vehicles any suggestion that it is easy for vehicles to use the back lane car park for short term parking (30m minutes) is spurious moving all the parking to the back lane car park will increase the tail back on the by pass road at the reservoir roundabout. it will create problems at the doctors end of the car park as most will park there to get to the square surely the popularity of the use of the square as a parking area instead of using the back lane car park should indicate to you that for very short term parking how much people prefer the square to back lane car park at no time have I notice any conflict with pedestrians in the square and the use of the space for all purposes works perfectly well as it stands now

I am elderly, was born in Rochford, have lived there virtually all my life.

My views:
Leave the pavements as they are - pedestrianisation is the last thing the square needs.

Maximise the car parking - including both sides of the pump.

Re-locate the taxis.

Comment:

The existing pavements are perfectly adequate as they are. Why do people need ot walk across the square - I fail to see how that can help the shops - better that people are walking past the windows.

The people who live nearby walk. Most of the others come by car and they need to park. If they can't they wont come. They don't want to walk from the car park and a lot don't want to pay.

There is virtually always a queue of cars waiting to get into the square. How can you contemplate reducing the number of spaces?

The one hour limit keeps the cars moving. I think you could reduce that to 45 minutes, to further increase availability. Then put in a timed free parking machine, with a penalty for over-staying. Most people would observe that, so supervision could be minimal.

In my view very few people shopping in Rochford come by taxi, so why do we need them in the square? Surely a couple of spaces in Ship Lane (North Street end) would be adequate. Ban taxis from the square - at present they are often using ordinary parking spaces when the taxi spaces are full.

Option 1. However neither option addresses the narrow pavement area at the bus stop in the Market Square. The pavement is so narrow at this point pedestrians have to quite often step into the road making it especially difficult for disabled/handicapped people and those with prams/pushchairs and mobility scooters to navigate this area. A much wider pavement is needed here together with a dedicated bus bay.

I do not prefer either option, they both do not cater for adequate and affordable parking in the area. These plans in conjunction with Essex CC parking plans (Local Parking Plan Amendment 30 order 201), will simply kill of trade in the Town. Local councils should be working to find a solution to affordable parking to regenerate visitors to the town, protect livelihoods and jobs, and future success of Rochford Market square and surrounding streets. The council need to provide the following:-

Free 1 hour parking in back lane car park and old ship car park.
Retain convenience parking in the square and reduce taxi rank parking to 3 spaces, replacing the 3 of the 6 spaces with additional free parking.
Change the entry point for the car park to the current exit, and exit to current entrance creating a loop effect - elevates cars waiting in a queue and traffic jam for buses.
Provide free parking permits for business owners (retailers), in back lane car park relieving strain on them parking in residential areas.
Move taxi rank to loading bay behind spar, and replace existing taxi rank for 3 additional parking spaces (free).
Lobby Train and Airport car park owners to reduce parking fees which will reduce public from migrating to the local streets for parking.

All very simple really. Stop paying taxpayers money on ridiculous studies by people who do not live or use the town, listen to the people and take the correct and appropriate action.

Yes there is.

Rochford Square is about small shops and businesses and customers. Without them, you have lost the vibrancy of the Square. It is critical, therefore, that any changes do not adversely affect them.

Action should be focused on the preservation and encouragement of small shops and businesses in Rochford Square and the immediate surrounding area. This means bringing more customers into central Rochford, not less

Shoppers need to be encouraged and this inevitably means cars must be encouraged as well. The parking needs to be adequate and it needs to be free. Back Lane is too far away and it is too expensive. I have spoken to some of the local shopkeepers - their average sales per customer are just a few pounds. Footfall is, therefore, crucial to their success.

When the paved areas of the Square were enlarged some years ago, the entry and exit points were changed. It worked perfectly well beforehand, with the cars entering opposite Barclays Bank and leaving by the Spar. The junction rarely, if ever, became congested. Ever since the change, there has been a problem with queuing and congestion at the junction. There simply is not enough queuing room.

In support of the above observations, I have occupied the same offices above NatWest Bank for the past 28 years. I observe the Square almost every day of my working life.

My suggestions are:
* Leave the pavements and parking as they are at present.
* The taxi parking is all brought within the Square.
* The current taxi parking outside the Square is scrapped.
* The car park entry is opposite Barclays Bank
* The car park exit is by the Spar.
* Parking must remain free in the Square.
* Parking in the streets immediately around the Square remain free.
* The car park in Old Ship Lane is made free.
* All parking is restricted to 1 hour (1/2 hour may be sufficient).
* Restrict speed to a maximum of 20mph around the centre of Rochford.

As a further observation, North Street has been made a mess by the construction of areas that jut out into the road. I understand that traffic needs to be slowed as it passes from South Street into North Street but the paved encroachments into the road mean that the road is blocked when buses stop at the bus stop and useful parking areas have been built on by these creations.

I believe there should be no through traffic of any kind, make the square a focal point for shoppers and those who just wish to stop and chat over coffee. Re position bus stop at the end of bradley way just before mini roundabout the end of west street. Make this area the hub of transports links into rochford.Information boards for visitors and maps outlining the local area.Allocate a space in back lane car park for the taxis near the doctors surgery possbly .Many areas have now been turned over to only pedestrians and work extremely well.

The Parish Council suggest that the entrance to the parking bays in the market square revert back to previous years when the entrance was opposite Barclays Bank and the exit was opposite the dry cleaners. Members also suggest that the 'Keep Clear' road markings need to be more prominent and should be enforced. Pay and display parking is not supported in the market square.

A VISION FOR ROCHFORD
Response to Market Square Consultation

1 May 2014

MY CREDENTIALS

I write as a Resident with 75 years' experience of Rochford and the surrounding area; as a person seriously interested in architecture, planning and development and with considerable personal experience.

I am the Holder of a Civic Trust Award for a major building in Southend. A Civic recommendation for my Mews in Islington and my own home in Rochford has featured in Pesnver's Essex and also the destination for architectural visits.

I have also visited Corbusier's building in Marseille and Chapel at Ronchanp, as well as buildings of architectural merit in New York by Mies Van De Rohe and F. L. Wright and studied Foster and Rogers and their colleagues, now amongst the World's Architectural Leaders.

Corbusier does not travel, as demonstrated by the stained concrete pastiches defacing the South Bank.


PRESENT PROPOSALS

I read Rochford's proposals, not only as a Resident, but also a person intensely interested in their nature.

I am saddened and disappointed by the recommendations promulgated in the Consultation document. Rochford's central area can be clearly seen as disagreeable and ineffective amalgam of ill-conceived ideas from the past. The new proposals seek merely to make the best of a bad job, lacking any imaginative or creative rethinking in a wider context.

An overall bold and effective appreciation had never been made of the present and future needs, although there has been much vogue Planning mumbo jumbo. Most of this seems to cover everything but people and the real new infrastructure . Now more than ever we must consider the impact of the substantial development of residential, commercial and industrial property in the area and its demands upon the Rochford Town Centre. We must realise that Rochford is no longer a small village around the local Region's communication hub. It has now become a vigorous and fast developing town in its own right and deserves rather better than the limp proposals put forward.

Sadly, Rochford has already lost its way with its boring and dysfunctional central area and unworkable traffic plan for a key communication centre with its rapidly expanding hinterland.

It has also failed to recognise the true importance and repercussions of the regeneration of the Airport to the region as a whole.

ROCHFORD TODAY

The Council offices have devoured most of the east side of the historic South Street, moving into unsuited retail and residential property. The Planning Department now occupies the site once used by the Village Ironmonger and subsequently the Gourmet restaurant. The Market Square has become chaos, arising from a fatal planning decision to reverse the Square's traffic flow. This main traffic intersection is now obstructed by vehicles backing up from the Square obliterating the Planning office, perhaps poetic justice!

The Market Square was semi-pedestrianised in the hope that some people might relax in the shade on gum spattered paving in deep shade outside a small eatery; enlivened occasionally with wind tunnel-like draughts up West Street. I have never seen anyone actually using the sitting out area. It was forgotten that the whole of the Southern part of the Square was overshadowed by some high and mostly faceless buildings opposite. One of the few parts left with any character is a charming old stone drinking trough now dwarfed by a recent neighbour, a kitsch plastic looking pump - more suited to Disney. The paving of the Square has become an incoherent patchwork of different materials, representing passing ideas.

Such past developments do not bode well for the future, as appears from the recommendations put forward. These seem to be a series of unsupported ideas and gimmicks or design clichés. All that can be drawn from views expressed today with any certainty is the gut reaction of "Don't get rid of the parking and vehicles"; quite right too.

There is a ghastly example nearby of which I am too well aware. This is the Southend Precinct. The Planners there had attempted to replace a high street which worked with a central paved precinct area and ring road; equal disasters.

The Precinct from dusk becomes a deserted ominous and bleak stone desert, in which pedestrians fear to tread. It does provide an excellent arena for skateboarders, muggers and other undesirables. It has now become a no-go zone despite desperate efforts to humanise it again. Likewise the new bleak multi-million Pound so-called Town Square, where unsurprisingly there is not a soul to be seen.

The ring road has become a garrotte around the Town Centre, the fate of nearly all ring roads (North Circular, M25 and now overdue for the next outer ring) and even the original Heathrow with Gibbard's central Terminal.

We do not want such thinking for Rochford. Fortunately, there is a now a unique opportunity to get it right with good taste and design for today and tomorrow. If only we can now take the courage to achieve it. Fortunately, the solution is possible and staring us in the face.

THE WAY FORWARD

The start point for the future must be to define our objectives. What do we want to achieve - a happy comfortable prosperous and convenient Town Centre - the beating heart of our local community.

My thoughts are coloured by my childhood memories of Rochford before the last War. I used to enjoy watching the metal rims being sweated onto the wooden wheels made by Taskers, just down South Street; or Bacon, the Blacksmith flying his craft up North Street, the Delph café facing the Market Square, the local rendezvous and Starkings traditional grocers in a charming 18th century House at the corner of the Square, with its candy column fenestration and within its skilled cheese cutting to the ounce and bacon slicing, then the Thursday animal market. It was a real place and it worked. Now let's endeavour to seek the modern equivalent. This is to strengthen and make welcoming the Market Square and its environs - achieve the right balance.

The elements of a successful Town Centre include Shopping, Residential, Commercial plus Industrial nearby for more jobs. This element is already thriving to the South. It needs to be convenient in that it can be reached easily, both by people and the goods/services it requires, by car, bicycle (increasingly important), bus and on foot.

I recommend that the architecturally non-descript buildings between the Square and North Street are demolished with generous compensation, to provide the extra space needed, as they have become irrelevant due to the addition nearby of 2 new purpose built convenience stores with better facilities. The present block is of poor quality and design for their key position and in the wrong place - a veritable eyesore!

If this block which is way past its shelf life is removed, the whole Centre can breathe again and the people and the traffic flow once more. The additional clear open space will act as a catalyst to release the central area from the follies of their predecessors.

The North and East side of the Square which gets some sunlight should be mainly retail, possibly with residential accommodation over. I hope it would contain a coffee shop or Bistro, which could spread outside when the sun shines. The cars, taxis, buses and dropping off/picking-up could then be on the east side, taking advantage of the extra space, with the remainder used as space for pedestrians and minimal quick parking.

The Planning office would be swept away to a better location, then shops would return to the part of South and North Street nearer the Square where it should be; thus consolidating the shopping in the central area to everyone's benefit. This would be the Square itself with the nearby top part of North, South, East and West Streets. All the Town Centre requirements including banks, Assembly hall (the WI building and nearby Freight House) within easy walking distance, plus associated catering and social drinking to everyone's enjoyment.

Back Lane would still be needed for servicing and West Street for reduced vehicular use. Vehicles would be encouraged to take the North loop around the old hospital area. The awkward railway bridge would need straightening (plenty of room), then traffic could flow easily. The existing adequate but somewhat remote parking could remain.

An ideal new location for the Council offices would be the old Police Station, which has plenty of room at the back for development. The Council's existing historic house would be very close.

The fewer offices the better, as too much spare space tends to fill with extra people. A little hot- desking and longer hours might help, so the same building has far greater utilisation. Long hours doesn't necessarily mean people working longer, but shift working on a part-time basis.

Rochford is within the most dynamic part of the County for growth. It has everything going for it with the regenerated Airport, rapidly developing high-tech industry, improved roads and rail transport, not forgetting the impact of Crossrail in 2018, a thriving new container port, all helping to bring new prosperity to the whole area.

Rochford has water on three sides; the Crouch, Thames and North Sea. It is embraced by green fields and parks, with excellent recreational facilities. It is a communication centre hence North, South, East and West Streets! All that it needs is to come alive again with an attractive, welcoming and functional central area and the people with the courage and vision to make it happen.

Dear Sir/Madam

As requested I enclose my comments on the two options put forward to Rochford Market Square, as part of the Rochford Area Action Plan Focussed Changes consultation.

I would be grateful if this representation and each of my comments could be taken into account, before further steps are taken in this matter.

I read your article regarding plans for Rochford Market Square in the Evening Echo of Thursday 3rd April, and am dismayed that you are considering making fewer car parking spaces.
In these days especially when you are planning to build more houses in an already overcrowded area, it seems that life as a Rochford resident is becoming more and more unpleasant. Increasing numbers of cars mean that e need more parking spaces, not fewer. People's lives are busy and we need as many spaces as possible in order for people to visit banks and local shops. People do not have time to saunter around pedestrianised areas, and we need as many parking spaces as possible for short-term parking, leaving long-term shoppers to park in Back Lane.
Several years ago, you changed the entry for parking in the Square from the west to the east. The result has been that the entry at the east end is constantly clogged, making it impossible sometimes for buses to turn from South Street into West Street, and leaving idling vehicles engines polluting the air and frustrated drivers waiting for a space.
I propose that the least bad solution would be:-
1. To change the entry into the Square to the west end of the Square;
2. Space for 3 taxis to be at the North edge of the central seat, leaving the south edge free for cars waiting to enter;
3. More taxis could wait in Back Lane Car Park;
4. The pavement area is adequate for pedestrians. Car parking spaces are far more important for short-term shoppers, and for shop keepers themselves who need customers to support their shops as easily as possible.

Dear Sirs

RAAP - Consultation Market Square, Rochford

It is the view of the members of the Rochford Chamber of Trade, following a recent meeting to discuss the current consultation, Options 1 and 2, will have serious damaging effects on trade. We subsequently strongly oppose any reduction of free parking spaces.

It has been extensively researched in both the Portas and the Grimsey retail sector reviews that free, available parking is an essential ingredient to a viable town centre. These studies have not been recognised in your proposals together with our previous submissions. This hardly seems to represent fair and thorough consultation.

The Chamber's proposal, which has been drawn up with current legal specifications, is attached. This would maintain parking spaces, reduce the number of spaces for the taxi rank, improve the efficiency of available space, prevent congestion and enable enforcement. Traffic flow would be improved and additionally and most importantly it is achievable and cost effective.

The ability for shoppers to call into the Market Square quickly, park and leave is a feature that traders rely on. As can be proven from the aerial photographs taken from your own web site (appendix 2 attached.) Appendices 3 & 4 (attached) clearly demonstrate visitors' behaviour in relation to parking.

You mention in your report "Potential for parking in other locations." There is no mention of where this parking could be located and we cannot see where additional spaces could be created. On the contrary, the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) proposes a variation of the Traffic Regulation Orders to remove even more available parking under the Residents' Permit Parking Scheme. The Statement of Reasons, as attached (appendix 5) together with sheet revision number 004 TQ875 905 (appendix 6.)

All current proposals from RDC and SEPP remove available parking to the detriment of employers and traders in Rochford, undermining visitors, customers and clients. To pursue this with either options is a high risk strategy with no guarantee of success. Indeed, a visitor to Rochford would have a problem having absolutely no idea where they can legally park with a multitude of parking rules and regulations.



CAFÉ SOCIETY

Since the suggestion in the 2008 RAAP, the Café Culture has already come alive within the environs of the Market Square after the parking charges and regulations are removed for example, after 7.00pm. This includes Antica Roma, Allisandro's, four Indian restaurants, two Chinese establishments, Stavros Kebabs, Rochford Takeaway, fish and chip shop, eight Public Houses and a Hotel. It would appear that nobody has actually looked at the behaviour of people both during the day and evening. This is in addition to four daytime cafes/coffee shops.

The idea of a "Café Society" in Rochford is an attractive one, but the footfall in the town does not support this and never will with the proposed parking restrictions.

The environment of the Square is not conducive to the Café Society. This already exists in the surrounding areas as stated. We unfortunately do not enjoy a Mediterranean climate especially in the Square which is notoriously cool.

The majority of units in the Square do not have sufficient space to house a kitchen and tables and chairs sufficient for proprietors to sustain a viable business. What is the likelihood of approval being given for a change of use in the Square if The Reef (South Street) was turned down?



SUMMARY

In conclusion, we do not consider Options 1 or 2 in any way beneficial; the only viable option to retain the economic viability and sustainability of the Square is as per our proposal (attached)

A reduction in footfall that would follow fewer parking spaces would reduce profitability for ALL businesses. It is then likely that the banks would move out, together with the larger companies such as solicitors, Martins (housing the Post Office) and Greggs. It cannot be overstated that the viability of trade in any form would be in serious danger.

In addition, we are seriously perturbed that no consideration has been given to the economic viability of Rochford traders in the Residents' Permit Parking Scheme. On the contrary, it is deliberately designed to undermine it as clearly stated in SEPP's Statement of Reasons, of which RDC is a partner.

Leave the Square as it is at present but enforce the no waiting area alongside the Spar mini supermarket.