B. Prioritise local highways and junctions between Rayleigh, Hockley and Rochford (B1013), to support and direct funds to improve the local highway network

With new developments, this B1023 through road is getting more and more congested at main junctions in 'rush hours'. One answer, surely, is to insist, in granting planning to major developments, that there are alternative 'escape routes' built in. I am thinking in particular of the 600 homes currently being constructed in Hall Road, Rochford which could easily have accommodated an escape route onto Ashingdon Road instead of creating, when completed, around 1000 new vehicles spilling out into the main drag through Hockley and Rayleigh.

The improvements necessary should only be for local traffic needs . See later .

The infrastructure of local highway networks has been grossly underfunded, journey times and air quality are deteriorating. The B1013, an east - west link road, cannot be underestimated for it's importance in the lives of residents, whether to reach schools, local businesses open spaces and commuting.
There is a planned increase of new build properties in Rochford district amounting to 9000 (includes 1500 from First Local Plan). Detailed analysis of the prospective sites to be developed has confirmed that the target must be reduced to 4500, therefore rejecting half the sites put forward by landowners due to unsustainability.

Please find below the Comments that Rawreth Parish Council wish to submit with regards to the Issue and Options Document (and draft Sustainability Appraisal)


Objectively Assessed Need (OAN) page 38
Section 6.30
A combination of both Option A & C. Seek to provide as much of the Districts housing need within out District given our environmental and other constraints, giving a percentage of new homes to residents to purchase on a first come first served basis for a limited period of time, bearing in mind we need to co-operate with neighbouring authorities.

Affordable Homes page 39
Section 6.31
A combination of A & C. Reduce the threshold for the provision of affordable homes in line with emerging residential policy.

Section 6.32
A combination of D & E. need to maximise the provision so wherever possible increase above the 35% but, this should be the minimum on all sites.

Homes for Older People and Adults with Disabilities
Section 6.33
Support integration within new developments to provide for various needs.

Section 6.36
Support option B.

Delivering our Need for Homes
Section 6.37
In order of preference support Options A, B, E, C, D. Density should be increased near to Town Centres and Transport hubs. Large extension to existing residential areas are becoming too remote from Town hubs, eg Hall Road, Ashingdon Road and Land to the North of London Road. Hence the possibility of a new settlement South West of Rayleigh, East of Hullbridge around Lower Road, north of Ashingdon but only if infrastructure is improved with national investment (we have responded separately on this point under Transport and Access)

Section 6.59
Support Options B & F. We need to preserve our existing stock of bungalows and restrict permitted development rights to enable the increasing elderly population to remain in independent living. To monitor the need for new bungalows in proposed mixed developments.

Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Section 6.78
Support Option B combined with Option E. We support the Michelins Farm site provided it is in the District Council's control and strictly monitored with provisions for very limited natural expansion as the needs arise.

Paragraph 6.74 States that unauthorised sites are pursued through enforcement powers, there is no evidence to this in the case of the Cherry Hill Site on the A1245 which continues to increase in numbers.

Houseboats and Liveaboards
Section 6.86
Support Option c to safeguard the open apsects of the shoreline of the River Crouch and the River Roach.


Meeting Business Needs
Section 6.96
Support Option C. Paragraph 6.95 states that "the local road network also needs investment to improve accessibility", there needs to be connectivity with the national network to attract new business, as the imbalance between available employment and outflow to other areas needs urgently addressing.

Need for Jobs
Section 6.111.
Support a combination of Options A, C, E F with option B being worth of consideration . Paragraph 6.109. The increasing leisure use on some industrial sites makes these sites unattractive to further business use it also suggests that there was a surplus or business premises, possibly because of the inaccessibility of some sites due to congestion or poor roads, eg Brook Road, Eldon Way and Purdeys Way.





Tourism
Section 6.128
Support Option A. Paragraph 6.120 & 6.121 why does the "Crouch Coastal Community Team" not include the river up to the bridging point at Battllesbridge? Chelmsford City Council, Rawreth Parish Council and Rettendon Parish Council need to be involved.

Commercial Development
Section 7.20
Support Option A. Parking issues ie cost and accessibility restrict the enjoyment of facilities in the Town Centres, the draw of free parking at out of Town shopping centres, A127, Lakeside and Southend Airport divert resources away from small independent shops to large national chains. The Government promised that a levy on free parking was to be introduced this should help subsidise local centres, this needs addressing by National action.

Highways Infrastructure
Section 8.20
Object to Option C, Support Option B. Paragraph 8.4 note that 14,000 commute out of the District daily, 63% by car which puts pressure on the road network. The need to attract inward employment could reduce pressure on the system. The A127/A130 junction improvements are due to be operational 2022/23. The District is a peninsula therefore there is only one way out, westwards if the Government insists on expansion in Rochford, Southend and Castle Point then Central Government should invest in our future by alieving the congestion by a river crossing between Hulllbridge and Fambridge to link with the Burnham Road to bypass South Woodham Ferrers dual carriageway to the Turnpike/A130. The whole road should go through to the Tesco's roundabout on the A127, this could be linked to a new settlement as previously mentioned and relieve congestion around South Woodham Ferrers.

Sustainable Travel
Section 8.37
Support Option A, C and E. Paragraph 8.32, Green Grid strategy was promised in the Core Strategy for the Land North of London Road Rawreth, however it seems to have disappeared in the Countryside plans. There is a need for joined up pedestrian/cycle ways to provide a meaningful and safe network. The subtrans national cycle route via Beeches Road/Watery Lane seems have disappeared, its unsafe because of the volume of traffic. Buses need to be convenient and cost effective alternatives to private vehicles.

Water and Flood Risk Management
Section 8.58
Support Options A & C which should be combined. Paragraph 8.45 Zone 2 and 3 areas of Rawreth are at risk from development upstream of the Brook system which drains Rayleigh, Thundersley, Bowers Gifford; Basildon and Wickford, all areas with development pressures. We need to co-operate with each authority to minimise risk in Rawreth and the River Crouch. Some areas of Rawreth are protected by sea defences which need upgrading to match the height of the North Bank. Because of the geology of the area in exceptionally wet years the impermeable clay can become saturated and ground water becomes an issue. The Rayleigh ridge is of mainly permeable Bagshot beds sitting on a clay base which gives rise to ground water. Flood risk from Highways improvements have to be properly modelled, for example the Fairglen interchange. Paragraph 8.49 the Water Cycle Study 2015 recommendation needs updating to take account of new future housing.

Health and Wellbeing
Section 9.11.
Support Option D with land allocation support.

Education
Section 9.29
Support Option A, B D and E Paragraph 9.26 stated that 800 new homes would generate a need for a new Primary School. Land to the North of London Road will generate 550 homes but this is not enough to generate a new school. St Nicholas School Rawreth was designed to be expanded to 210 pupils, it is currently half that, will expansion be an option?
Each new development should be treated individually to ensure adequate land is set aside for school sites if the demand can be shown. The Secondary School provision for age 16 to 19 years needs to be considered and addressed.

Open Space and Outdoor Sports Recreation
Section 9.42
Paragraph 9.39 "Depending on their size and scale these are considered appropriate in certain circumstances taking into account the impact on the Green Belt" So do the pitches in Old London Road Rawreth fit that criteria? In the SA Report it is stated that there were only about 30 pitches in Rochford District. There should be a re-appraisal and a comprehensive census of all sports facilities in Rochford. Why are most Council owned facilities underused and of poor quality? If private landowners can make a profit on pitches then the Council should review their facilities and invest in improvements to attract profitable use.

Green Belt
Section 10.16
Paragraph 10.6, Does this mean that the Green Belt can be expanded as well as reduced to facilitate development. Paragraph 10.7 there should be a sixth principle in food production and encouragement of locally produced sustainable food. Paragraph 10.15 the western boundary and strips of Green Belt are becoming too narrow as Basildon District, Shotgate expansion is built almost to the Rochford boundary. Is the land to the west of the western boundary of the land to the North of London Road still classified as Green Belt?

Air Quality
Section 10.72
Support Option B. We need to improve air quality by encouraging sustainable travel, also clean non polluting renewable energy. All new housing must incorporate PV panels or tiles on the roof.

Rural Exception Sites.
Section 11.19
Recognise the need for affordable housing in rural areas by small well designed sites in villages to retain the generations of families in their environment who can be supportive as a family unit, relieving pressure on social and health care services and reducing travel. Continue need for agricultural workers where new demand appears. Developments could be instigated by Parish Councils (see page 4&5 section on Community Led Planning)

Development of Previously Developed Land in the Green Belt
Section 11.49
In the guidance notes it was suggested that derelict agricultural/forestry areas should be excluded from the definition of Brownfield. Each site should be judged on its merits. In the case of Hambro Nurseries Rawreth where there are several hectares of un-used and underused greenhouses as well as areas of scrub and concrete, it should be looked at as on its own advantages it would be a development adjoining an existing residential area as was stated in the previous Core Strategy this Parish Council would support this area to consolidate and create a meaningful hub for the Village of Rawreth, the disadvantages put forward by the District Council were grossly exaggerated.


Contaminated Land
Section 11.81
Paragraph 11.80 it is stated that Rochford District Council don't have any formally declared contaminated land, what then is Michelins Farm?

HAWKWELL PARISH COUNCIL: CONSULTATION RESPONSE
LOCAL PLAN: ISSUES & OPTIONS DOCUMENT


PAGE 41: Delivering our Need for Homes

SP1.3 How do we plan for and facilitate the delivery of our need for new homes over the next twenty years within the district?

6.48 What are the realistic options?
Hawkwell Parish Council has always supported the view that new housing to meet our needs should be accommodated on a new settlement in a new settlement in the far west of the District near Battlesbridge or Rawreth. The River Crouch is a natural boundary and access to Chelmsford, Basildon, Thurrock and London is far easier.

There would be less disruption of existing villages and the infrastructure could be provided. Therefore, Hawkwell Parish Council supports Option E.

Hawkwell Parish Council considers that both Hawkwell and Rochford Parishes have had most of the development in the present Local Plan, with another 500 homes to be developed from Oxford Road to The Drive (Rochford). This will equate to 2,000 houses all in a small area on the Ashingdon Road, Hall Road, Rectory Road and Brays Lane. Therefore, Options A to D are not considered viable by Hawkwell Parish Council.


PAGE 46: Good Mix of Homes

SP1.4 How do we plan for and deliver a good mix of homes in the future? What types, sizes and tenures are needed?

6.59 (Pg 49) Bungalows
Hawkwell Parish Council has always campaigned against loss of bungalows and the failure by developers to supply new bungalows on development sites. These are needed to satisfy the needs of the elderly for suitable accommodation to downsize to. Therefore, a combination of Option E and F would be supported.

PAGE 76: Villages and Local Neighbourhood Centres

SP2.2 How do we continue to support local facilities in our village and neighbourhood centres?

7.27 What are the realistic options?
Hawkwell Parish Council would support Option A `Retain existing Core Strategy Policy'. It is important to retain facilities and not allow shops to be turned into housing or other non-retail uses. Without these facilities villages would decline and lack community integration and cohesion.


PAGE 78: Highways Infrastructure

SP3.1 How can we prioritise and deliver improvements to the strategic and local highway network over the next twenty years?

8.20 What are the realistic options? Pg 83
Hawkwell Parish Council would support Option B `Prioritise local highways and junctions between Rayleigh, Hockley and Rochford (B1013), to support and direct funds to improve the local highway network.

Hawkwell Parish Council would not support Option C. This option would not encourage more use of the route through Rawreth Land, Rayleigh, Hullbridge and Hockley. These are very narrow, winding roads and would be unsuitable for an increase in traffic movements.

PAGE 105: Education and Skills

SP4.3 How do we facilitate the delivery of education improvements and skills development to support our residents and local economy over the next 20 years?

9.29 What are the realistic options? Pg 108
Hawkwell Parish Council would support a combination of Option A and B. It is essential that land allocated for schools must not be allowed to be used for other purposes once set aside.

PAGE 109: Early Years and Childcare Provision

SP4.4 How do we facilitate the delivery of early years and childcare facilities to support our residents and local economy over the next twenty years?

9.36 What are the realistic options? Pg 114
Hawkwell Parish Council would support Option B `Ensure that land is specifically allocated for schools, early years and childcare'. Hawkwell is short of these places after the development of 200 homes in recent years.

PAGE 162: Advertising and Signage

D.P1.13 How to manage advertising and signage across the district in the future?

11.72 What are the realistic options? Pg 163
Hawkwell Parish Council would support Option A but feel it should be strengthened. Over the last few years many advertising boards have appeared on the side of houses and grass verges bearing no relation to an adjacent business. There is an increase in in advertising boards on the pavement; not only are they unsightly but they also obstruct pavements making it difficult for people with poor visibility, users of double buggies and mobility scooters to negotiate them.

Rochford Parish Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on this Document and whilst fully supporting the Strategic Priorities and Objectives of the Vision wonder whether the vision is, in its own right, rather long.

The council would support the following options which the document identifies.

6.30 C
6.31 B
6.32 D
6.33 B
6.36 B
6.48 E
6.58 C
6.59 F
6.60 H
6.78 B
6.86 B
6.96 B & C
6.111 A & F
6.117 A & D
6.128 A & B
7.20 C
7.27 A & B
8.20 B (Councillors have concerns that option C would be unable to accommodate significant increases in traffic flow without a major infrastructure investment.
8.21 A
8.37 B & C
8.44 B
8.58 C
8.66 B
8.75 A
9.11 D
9.15 B
9.29 A, B, D & E
9.36 B
9.42 A, B, C & D
9.50 A
9.61 A
10.16 B
10.27 A
10.28 G
10.29 H
10.34 B
10.44 C & D
10.52 A
10.62 C
10.63 J
10.72 B
11.5 G
11.12 B
11.19 B
11.27 A
11.36 A
11.40 B
11.44 A
11.49 A
11.53 B
11.57 A & B
11.61 C
11.65 B
11.72 A (Councillors would like to see this strengthened especially in relation to advertising on residential property.
11.76 B
11.81 A