B. Work with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities to ensure that housing need across the South Essex Housing Market Area is effectively met.

On behalf of Southern & Regional Developments, Claremont Planning support Option B(2) as supplied by the District Council as an approach to meeting Rochford's housing need as well as the need of the South Essex SHMA. This is in line with National Planning Policy requirements including the Duty to Cooperate with adjacent authorities and take into account boundary pressures. This is particularly relevant in respect of the needs arising from Castle Point alongside the responsibility of Rochford to meet its own needs and boost housing delivery. To reflect this and the supported Option B, the upper range of the identified OAN should be adopted as a minimum; with the intention of supporting a higher level of delivery being able to achieve housing delivery. This will produce the most robust and sound approach to delivery.

This is important but all areas should meet their own housing needs requirements.

*THIS REPRESENTATION HAS AN ACCOMPANYING ATTACHMENT*

ROCHFORD NEW LOCAL PLAN ISSUES AND OPTIONS
TITHE PARK, POYNTERS LANE, SHOEBURYNESS

We write on behalf of our client, Stolkin and Clements (Southend) LLP, who owns the Tithe Park site. Our client wishes to promote this site for a mixed use residential led development including community uses and public open space.

Tithe Park is a large site of 35 hectares, which lies immediately to the north of the existing urban edge of the Borough of Southend-on-Sea, and is bounded to the north by Poynters Lane. The site is available, deliverable, and suitable for residential led development. It is owned solely by our clients and can be brought forward for development. To our knowledge there are no major obstacles to development of the site, which is currently in an agricultural use.

The enclosed masterplan envisages in the region of 490 dwellings which would significantly contribute towards housing targets.

We believe that the site could benefit both Rochford and Southend, particularly with the NPPF's emphasis on positively preparing plans. It provides an opportunity to address strategic cross boundary issues which is a key theme in the Issues and Options consultation document.

The Issues and Options consultation document highlights the 'duty to cooperate'. Paragraph 4.15 explains that Southend may be unable to meet all of its new need for new homes and jobs within its own boundaries. The document also highlights the large number of people travelling between Rochford and Southend for work (figures 2 and 3) and explains that Rochford District sits within a local Housing Market Area with Southend and Castle Point Boroughs (Figure 8).

Our client supports Option B for addressing 'Objectively Assessed Need' which promotes working with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities to ensure that housing need across the South Essex Housing Market Area is effectively met (Paragraph 6.30). This will ensure that the plan is sound.

As set out in Paragraph 6.29, site specific studies can be undertaken to identify sites adjacent to existing urban areas, such as Tithe Park.

With regard to the options for delivering the number of homes required it is likely that a combined approach as set out in Paragraph 6.48 will be appropriate. Whilst it may be possible to increase the density of some existing sites, identifying extensions to existing urban areas is likely to be necessary. Larger sites, such as Tithe Park, can provide infrastructure and services to mitigate the impact of any scheme and benefit the local area.

Our client would be willing to incorporate community facilities and they are not specifically tied to their masterplan. Furthermore, the development would be able to provide a good mix of homes including a range of sizes and affordable housing. There is also the potential for a care home or sheltered housing should the Council determine that there is a need for this.

Tithe Park could also provide employment floor space for small businesses as part of a mixed use development. As set out at paragraph 6.92 of the consultation document, 87% of Rochford businesses have less than 10 people, these micro businesses require start-up space and grow on space. Our clients support this and would be willing to include some employment within the development. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the site and the potential mix of uses with you.

In our view, there are strategic advantages to pursing Tithe Park and we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the proposals. If you would like any further information, then please do not hesitate to give me a call.