Q56b. With reference to Figure 44 and your preferred Strategy Option, do you think any of the land edged blue should be made available for any of the following uses?

Ref Numbers
Cfs027 Cfs098 Cfs086 csf029 cfs053
Open space farm land and green belt.

The Trust is opposed to the residential allocation for site COL7 (Mill Arts & Events Centre) unless the existing centre is protected or a replacement facility continues to provide a theatre and performance function to equal or better scale and standard to the existing facility. As currently envisaged within early consultation documents the replacement hall would be of smaller scale and would fail to offer realistic theatrical provision. It would likely conflict with indicative strategic priorities and objectives elsewhere within this plan as well as NPPF policy on community uses. The appraisal criteria fails to record impact on community and cultural provision; access to the town centre is measured but not the impact on the centre. Mill Arts & Events Centre is well regarded by local people evidenced by the strength of feeling and opposition to Council plans. It provides local people with access to culture and the arts, also drawing in visitors. It contributes towards cultural well-being, and supports the vitality of the town centre. We urge removal or revision of this site allocation as the plan is further developed.

NO

the reason why I object is that we don't have the infrastructure in place to accommodate this amount of houses, i.e roads, schools, GP surgeries, dentists. even now if you want a GP apt, the waiting time is 3 to 4 weeks.

Mill Hall is our current community structure?Lets keep it.

Rayleigh is full up. There has been horrendous over development in the town for many years, creating problems in infrastructure, congested roads, poor air quality and a reduction in the quality of life for all Rayleigh residents. I am very supportive of the protection of and introduction of new green spaces to improve the lives of our residents, particularly our children, but proposing yet more residential buildings, particularly on greenbelt land, simply does not make sense for this poor town that is already bursting at the seams. Of particular concern is the proposed areas for development, CF207 and CFS087.

the only one thing I would say, is that you need to keep open spaces without these area to go to the, town would look like a mass of houses and that isn't attractive, to take these areas away could do more harm than good, regarding peoples wellbeing.

most of the promoted sites are to the West of Rayleigh and this would inevitably mean those people would be drawn to Rayleigh which is already overburdened in every respect.

Infrastructure can not cope. Build out of main town, create garden town or simular

Please see previous point regarding overcrowded gp surgery's and road problems. As most of the promoted sites are to the West of Rayleigh and this would inevitably mean those people would be drawn to Rayleigh which is already overburdened in every respect.

Good morning
Ref Numbers
Cfs027 Cfs098 Cfs086 csf029 cfs053
We strongly object to this proposed development. Rayleigh is already grid locked with traffic on the surrounding roads in this area. This is our precious green belt land, other ways should be found to achieve the plan. Particularly to the west of Rayleigh where there is more access to the main road and rail network.
Please keep us updated on the project and note our objections.

Most of these sites are in the west of Rayleigh and this means those people would be drawn to Rayleigh Town which is already massively overburdened in all these aspects

The multiple sites that are currently being constructed will place pressure on an already bucklering infrastructure. There appears to be no additional schools or doctors being built to support the increasing number of houses, therefore I fail to see the rational for building further properties.

If any of the promoted sites in Rayleigh are current or former playing fields or other sports facilities and the Council is minded to consider allocating them for housing, commercial etc in the Preferred Options consultation it is advocated that Sport England is engaged with for advice in advance of a future formal consultation. As Sport England would potentially be a statutory consultee on a future planning application affecting a playing field site, early engagement is advocated if the Council is minded to consider such a site allocation. This would help minimise the potential for delays and objections at a later stage of the Local Plan process and any future planning application. Advice can be provided on how potential concerns could be addressed and how any site allocation policies could be worded to address potential objections.

Please treat this answer as applying to the corresponding question for all of the other settlements in Rochford district.

We must consider our healthcare provision in widest sense. Doctors/Medical centres, Community centres, and Education. We have to imrove these for the population we have in the area already.

Plot CFS077 is fully utilised every year to grow a variety of local crops.
In its greenbelt role it greatly enhances the health, wellbeing and quality of life for local residents.
It provides a pleasant outlook in an area otherwise deprived of open spaces.

I believe it needs to retain it green belt status or at the very least be designated as an open space for leisure purposes.

No further development should take place on greenbelt land. All green belt sites should be removed from the local plan.

I raise a representation in support of the development of CFS047 for market housing.
Any release of greenbelt damages the greenbelt, but given the need for market housing some release is inevitable. Urban intensification alone will not be sufficient to meet forecast need, as has been acknowledged in this Spacial Options consultation document.
If Green Belt sites have to be used, then CFS047 is a small but relatively low impact option.
This has been evidenced by several of the documents which form RDC evidence base for the new local plan, as follows:

1. Rochford and Southend Stage one and two greenbelt study assessment of the site:

- the site is contained to the south and west by the inset settlement of Rayleigh, which exerts an urbanising influence, and the site has very limited distinction from the inset urban area.
- the release of the site would would result in the current Green Belt boundary to be more regular than it is currently.

2. RDC's SHELAA 2017 report provides evidence that the single detached dwelling and garden which the site is comprised:

- has good access to educational, open spaces, retail facilities, public transport and existing residential areas.
- highways access to the site already exists, all utility services are present on the site, and no significant investment in road infrastructure or pathways would be required.
- classifies the site as viable.

3. CFS047 compares favourably to other sites and is deemed deliverable in RDC's site appraisal document.

4. National Planning Policy Framework also states:

"To promote the development of a good mix of sites local planning authorities should:
a) identify, through the development plan and brownfield registers, land to accommodate at least 10% of their housing requirement on sites no larger than one hectare."

CFS047 is classified as a brownfield site and is 0.4 hectare.

In conclusion, CFS047 should be released from Greenbelt because it:
- would provide a more regular defensible Greenbelt/Urban boundary.
- does limited harm to the greenbelt when compared to other options/sites.
- makes better use of what is previously developed land.
- would provide quality housing, in a highly sustainable and desirable area.
- makes best use of existing infrastructure, services and local facilities.
- adheres with NPPF guidance with regards smaller sites.

This could be achieved by considering the site as "limited infill", or as a limited urban extension to Rayleigh.

i do not feel any of the promoted sites should be made available

This area of Rayleigh has had major expansion and new housing. There has been no corresponding increase in roads , public transport or community infrastructure. Accessing healthcare in the region is increasingly difficult ,traffic is a major problem, and until recently train services were overcrowded during rush hour.. New developments should only be considered if the new population are provided with suitable public transport , major retail/ business hubs away from the existing town . Rayleigh cannot support any significant increases in population if we are to provide a healthy , enjoyable town that meets future sustainability and climate needs.

cfs121. I understand that there is also a planning application for a solar farm on this site . I think this would be a much better use of the land than developing for housing. This will benefit the town with addition of business rates . Solar Farms are needed and having listened to the company presentation I feel this is a good option for this land.

Rayleigh is not able to sustain any more major development. The current sprawl means that accessing services (school, healthcare, shops etc) in Rayleigh requires car ownership and making this area larger will make congestion even worse. Getting in and out of Rayleigh is dire and this is going to strangle the businesses that are currently there. Town centre car parking is being given over parking for flatted developments which again suffocates local business. There is no provision for cycle lanes (narrow roads and steep hills make this an unacceptable option for many cyclists) and no subsidy for electric bikes, bike parking in the high street or bike charging. There should be cycle paths from Rayleigh Centre to Rayleigh Leisure Centre. There should be cycle paths all round Rayleigh to ease congestion. Flatted developments do not providing charging points for electric vehicles.

Rayleigh High Street is the only place in the district to have poor air quality and reducing green lung space within and around this town will be severely detrimental to the health and wellbeing of its residents. It has been subjected to unsustainable town centre cramming. It is the most densely populated of all the towns in Rochford District and it is not the only town to have a station in it (Hockley, Rochford).

Rayleigh needs more open space to help address the poor air quality (so especially in the centre), more healthcare provision (there has been no increase in healthcare provision despite all the house building that has taken place in the last 30-40 years). Rayleigh needs a swimming pool so people didn’t have to drive to Hadleigh, Benfleet, Southend, Wickford, South Woodham Ferrers or Hawkwell. For a major town with over 50% of the population not having a swimming pool is unbelievable. A cinema would be great (Burnham on Crouch has one). It needs a decent community centre (like the size of Mill Hall) that is run properly and for the benefit of the community and not passed over to an incompetent sports facility company that don’t know how to manage it.

Building on the Rayleigh Mill site is an absolute no-no. A community this size needs a venue of this size. It needs to be managed properly and for the benefit of the local community. We don’t need any more town centre developments.

All the CFS sites should be made available as Green Spaces. This will help maintain current congestion levels and welfare of the existing residents rather than degrade them. This will also help improve the very poor Green completeness score.

There would appear to be a need for a small local shopping centre to meet the needs of the development to the west of Rayleigh including pub and/or restaurant

This area is a bridleway, and is a public right of way. It also represents a rare way of travelling to Hullbridge on foot or by bike in a non-polluted atmosphere, which is essential for physical and mental health. It also links with the public right of way across the golf course, and The Saffron Trail. It would also detrimentally affect the landscape. Lubbards Farm should be kept rural, as part of a green corridor.

CFS147
There has already been a huge development on this area. There is no cycle infrastructure, and limited public transport, which would have to be improved before it is even considered. It is far enough away from town centres of Wickford and Rayleigh to mean that people would drive. There is a huge environment impact, to lose this would be to lose some of the last remaining green belt land in the area. The area is essential agricultural land, a lot of which has been lost.

Persimmon Homes is promoting site CFS087 for residential development. This 10-acre site is located north of the A127 by Rayleigh Weir. The site is contained between the current residential area defined by the southernmost extent of Western Road and Eastern Road with the A127.

The majority of the site comprises rough grassland, which has no beneficial use. There is a Public Right of Way (No25) running south from Eastern Road. The development offers the opportunity to formalise footpath links from Western Road. It would also offer the opportunity to create recreational routes through to Weir Farm Road. The allocation has the potential to enhance the Green Infrastructure Network in the local area.

The site benefits from being closely related to the existing built up area of Rayleigh, its town centre, train station, bus routes and key services. The Vision is that the site will add to the growth of Rayleigh, providing homes in a sustainable location close to existing services, transport links and accessible green space.

The site is located immediately south of the Main Settlement of Rayleigh and north of the A127.

Rayleigh Town Centre is within a 10-minute walking distance and the Train Station, with a direct link into London, is only 1.1 miles walking distance. A main bus route linking the town centre/train station, Southend, Basildon and Canvey Island runs through High Road. This is in close proximity of the site. The site has good access to the wider main road network.

The site is within walking distance to the nearest Primary and Secondary School (0.6 miles and 1.1 miles respectively).

The development of the site would provide beneficial enhancements to the public open space provisions and improved walking/cycling links across the site to encourage new and existing residents to use sustainable modes of transport.

The site does not serve the five purposes of Green Belt (as confirmed within the Council’s evidence base) and would benefit from housing development to allow for improved biodiversity creation and management. Development of the site would also provide an enhanced settlement boundary to the A127 and provide an improved setting for Ancient Woodland and Local Wildlife Site.

Development of the site will allow for delivery of required housing in a sustainable location.

Persimmon Homes are currently preparing an updated Promotional Document to support the allocation of the site for residential development, which will be submitted shortly.

The main town shown in figure 44 below is densely populated and has very limited open spaces/parks. I therefore believe all of the promoted sites should be made available to increase open space/create further parks for the community only.

I do not agree with so much house building but I support schools and medical facilities

Please find below my response to the RDC Spatial Options Consultation.

Consultation Process -The volume of information contained in the consultation was difficult to access and view online. Some links did not work properly. RDC are not reaching residents who have no internet.

Spatial option 3b North of Southend is most feasible site.

Spatial Themes not included - Cultural and Accessibility.

Employment – District is lacking in Environmental services - woodland conservation and management.

Improve Long-term Economic growth - Better road networks, gigabit broadband and Wi-Fi. Apprenticeships or training for all ages with jobs at the end of training. The council should stop developing existing commercial land into housing.

Local generation of low-carbon and renewable energy - New developments should be able to source some or all of their energy from renewable sources. Solar in all new development as standard. Incentives to encourage existing developments to install solar onto their properties as well as any commercial buildings to be fitted with solar to their roofs; there are many flat roofed buildings all over the district that could accommodate solar panels without damaging the landscape. Explore tidal energy and seek out suitable locations in order to ascertain whether it is viable. Retrofitting existing housing and commercial buildings.

Settlement Hierarchy: Rayleigh is the largest town in the district, but care needs to be taken to maintain the integrity of the existing settlements with respect to green boundary between Rayleigh and its neighbours.

Planned Forms of Housing: Mix of housing for “affordable“ properties with higher standards for gardens and recreational space. Consideration should be given to the provision of Lifetime Homes specifically adapted homes for the disabled and elderly, bungalows and other potential buildings for downsizing families. Housing for the hidden homeless – those “sofa surfing” & Emergency housing. The plan makes no reference to social housing quotas which should be included in all new developments. By working closely with planners and developers, as well as different charities and communities, residents and businesses. You will then get a better understanding as to what you need and what will be achievable.

From 1st August it was announced that empty buildings and brownfield sites should be converted rather than build new. This alternative should be evaluated first.
Many development proposals would also mean a further reduction in air quality, light pollution and the loss of trees, farming, and arable land at a time when food production and supply is becoming a cause for concern.
Enforcement on unauthorised development is not adequately managed.

Infrastructure - The Council cannot comment on the suitability of sites in the plan without completion of Infrastructure Delivery & Funding Plan, Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan.
This is a continuing concern to residents due to the volume of recent and proposed development causing additional pressure on roads, education, social services, health facilities and local employment opportunities all of which gives a sustainable balance for our communities. The Infrastructure Funding Statement states all financial and non-financial developer contributions relating to Section 106 conditions should be completed but this is not the case when larger sites are split up. If developers do not honour the conditions the money reverts to ECC and RDC who should use this to improve our existing facilities, especially on our roads and cycle paths which are in a pitiful state of repair and will only worsen with further development if funding is not used where it was intended.

Balancing access against increased congestion will be the issue for a lot of the sites in Rayleigh. If you keep adding small developments to the boundaries of the town, it will overcrowd existing houses and add to urban sprawl.
i. Rayleigh has taken the brunt of development without significant infrastructural improvement.
ii. Commercial development should be supported in town centres, secondary shopping facilities and on approved industrial estates (the latter should not become retail / entertainment locations and residential development should not encroach on them to avoid conflict). Community Improvement Districts should be established
iii. Community infrastructure should be preserved and extended. Access to town centres and secondary shopping by bicycle and foot should be made easier and safer.

Rayleigh like other towns that have suffered from overdevelopment in recent decades and should be protect from large scale private development during the forthcoming Plan Period. Only development or local needs should be permitted. Local facilities like Mill Hall would be saved and car parking retained and made cheaper to assist local town centre business to survive what will be a challenging period. Secondary shopping facilities in Rayleigh would be supported and encouraged with public finance where required. Sites within the existing Rayleigh Conversation Area should not be considered under any circumstances.
Public transport would be supported and encouragement, especially when given for children to reach school without parents’ vehicles. Renovation and refurbishment of historic buildings with modern green energy would be promoted over demolition and intensification. Public services would be encouraged to return/expand to Rayleigh, in existing buildings like Civic Suite, Police Station and Library etc. The town centre should be the heart of our community not just something you drive through to reach somewhere else. This could be our vision and our aim for the future.
Proposed sites within Rayleigh and on the Western side should not be considered for development. Only an infrastructure plan would provide evidence that the chosen sites are sustainable in the long term, and greenbelt and environmental policies should be adhered to in relation to open spaces on the edge or within the town.
Rayleigh is clearly already overcrowded; it has a road network no longer fit for purpose, some schools are at or near to capacity, it is difficult to obtain a GP or dental appointment. The majority of the town is inaccessible for wheelchair users. There is little to no disabled play areas or play equipment. There are always issues with waste collections, drain and road cleaning and verge trimming. The District Council does not have the staff to deal with all these issues. The council should either build another waste recycling site, or develop a better waste collection program which allows extra waste to be collected next to the bin. The current recycling site at Castle Road is no longer capable of expanding to meet the needs of an ever-growing population. The plan should also identify a site to accommodate commercial waste facilities to stop fly tipping.
Good public transport links are crucial for our villages, neighbourhoods and town centres. The council needs to follow the rule “No development before infrastructure”. Houses are being built without adequate road, pedestrian, and cycle networks in place. New developments should be planned with cycle paths and walkways that link up with existing paths. Designated cycling paths that are separated from existing roads and pavements, but adjacent to our road networks would help improve traffic flow. Ensure the cycle network links with public transport as part of a complete review of sustainable transport.
Ensuring that public rights of way are not blocked by landowners and are kept free from debris. Assess paths to make them accessible to the disabled so that all is inclusive. There are some green areas that do not have public facilities and it would be advantageous to look at offering this in the larger spaces. For example, a small toilet block and hand washing facilities in a car park.

Open Spaces - The value of our open spaces and the issues with climate change has become a priority. People will continue to reduce travel and split time working from home. Our open spaces are essential for wellbeing, exercise and relaxation. We are on an overpopulated peninsular surrounded by water with one way in and one way out and there is a proven risk of flooding. Open space is at a premium. All green spaces, no matter how small, hold some significance, especially to those who use them for recreation. They are of particular community value and should not be developed. It is reasonable for RDC to encourage the development of a garden village away from existing communities to accommodate the Governments home building targets.
All Conservation areas, green belt and sites subject to the exclusion criteria (i.e. Sites of Special Scientific Interest) on the call for sites must be protected from Development.

Local Wildlife Sites review: RDC policies for protecting wildlife areas need to be updated. Designating initial sites is a step in the right direction but more must be done. It is proven that mental health issues can be relieved by nature and keeping the sites sacred is more important now than it ever was. Keeping a biodiverse environment, with wildlife and the environment in which it relies is paramount. The plan should create new wildlife meadows to encourage the pollinators to future proof our own existence.

Promoted Sites - Reasons against Development
CFS105 (Land North of Hambro Hill) would negatively impact the openness of the Green Belt between Rayleigh & Hockley. Rochford Green belt study states this parcel of greenbelt has a ‘Moderate’ rating for Purpose 1, and a ‘Strong’ rating for 2 & 3. It checks the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, prevents Rayleigh & Hockley merging into one another, and assists in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.

It was put forward by an Agent or Developer, not the Landowner. Legal constraints already identified. Landowner recently had planning application (20/00826/FUL) approved so extremely unlikely to support any development: Change of use of land from Commercial to combined Agricultural and Equine use. Site was originally used as part of a landfill tip by the former Rayleigh Urban District Council which ceased around 1960.

Grade 1 Agricultural Land Successfully farmed family business for over 50 years (wheat, barley & rape crops.) Fallow agricultural land, equestrian related grazing & woodland. Portion diversified for Equestrian Centre & agricultural barn for storage.

Infrastructure / Transport Overloaded road with a dangerous junction & poor visibility. Low bridge impact public transport – no double decker buses. No cycle paths or means to incorporate one. No pavements near the access road. Public right of way (PROW 298_48) poorly maintained at entrance to the site.

Heritage Assessment by Place Services ECC Minor Adverse / development of this site will cause harm to a heritage asset. The Historic Environment Record notes various finds from the pre-historic period.

Hockley Woods is the largest remaining wild woodland in the country RDC should be doing EVERYTHING it can to save it from development, either adjacent to or close by. RDC should also actively be adding to it by planting more trees to future proof its existence and status. RDC must protect any thoroughfares that access Hockley Wood.

Rayleigh Civic Suite & Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre
Dr Jess Tipper (Historic England)
Rayleigh Castle survives well both as earthwork and buried archaeological remains. It survives as a prominent earthwork in the centre of the town, with wide views across the landscape to the west. The inner bailey is located to the east of the motte and the outer edge of the inner bailey ditch forms the west boundary to the proposed development site.
The proposed development site is within the outer bailey of the castle, which is believed to have been constructed in the late 12th century AD. This is (currently) a non-designated heritage asset with high potential for below-ground archaeological remains; previous archaeological evaluation within the outer bailey had defined evidence of occupation dating between the 10th and 13th centuries, i.e. pre-dating the construction of the outer bailey. Bellingham Lane follows the outer edge of the outer bailey ditch.
The development has the potential to cause substantial harm to below-ground archaeological remains within the development site. The remains of occupation deposits in this area, functionally related to the castle, may be of schedulable quality. Buried artefacts and palaeoenvironmental remains will also have potential to increase our knowledge of the social and economic functioning of the castle and its relationships with the surrounding medieval town and landscape.
We have, therefore, recommended that the Council commissions an archaeological evaluation, to be undertaken by a specialist archaeological contractor, at the earliest opportunity to establish the significance of surviving archaeological remains in this area. Essex CC Place Services provide archaeological advice on behalf of the District Council on non-designated heritage assets and we would expect them to lead on the brief for this work.
The impact of any proposed development at this location on the setting and significance of the designated heritage assets, including the Grade II Listed windmill, will also require robust assessment - to assess the significance of heritage assets, their settings and the contribution their settings make to the significance, and to assess the impact of the proposals on the significance of the designated heritage assets.

Essex CC Place Services High-Level Heritage Assessment for Rochford District (Oct-2020)
The development of these sites will cause substantial harm to a heritage asset. There are likely no options for mitigation. Proposals causing this level of harm to the significance of a heritage asset should be avoided.
Built heritage - Lies within the Rayleigh Conservation Area and & medieval town extent. Civic Suite site contains GII Listed Barringtons [1168536]
Archaeological impact - The Civic Suite needs archaeological investigation & any development on the Mill Hall Site impacts the scheduled Monument of Motte and Bailey

The Mill Arts & Events Centre is situated within Rayleigh Mount Conservation Area, between main entrance to Rayleigh Mount (National Trust Scheduled Ancient Monument) & Rayleigh Windmill (Grade II Listed Building.)



It has been a hub of the community in Rayleigh Town for 50 years up until the time it was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic Lockdown. This year is the Mill Halls’ Golden Jubilee, built in 1971, paid for by the Community.

RDC must approve nomination for the Mill Hall to be classed as an Asset of Community Value.

The Mill Hall showcases local Artworks within its Foyer, and has a permanent mosaic completed by children of our schools. From the first step within the building, visitors can immediately feel the sense of culture and creativity. A large noticeboard of all events, shows and clubs available is straight ahead, plus the ‘tourist board’ style information desks is immediately welcoming and accessible for all.
The Mill Hall is popular with residents and visitors to Rayleigh, with a coffee shop and facilities to use after a visit to the many Heritage sites within the Town Centre. This includes the Windmill (open for weddings & tours), Rayleigh Mount, The Dutch Cottage, Rayleigh Museum, and King George’s park when Fair arrives in Town.
The Mill Hall has the performance provision for staging Theatre, Musical Concerts, Comedy shows, Live Bands etc. The venues’ size is ideal for large scale events in the main hall including Professional Wrestling, Dances, Boxing, Children’s exercise classes (Jumping Beans). Upstairs, the smaller hall has capacity and versatility to cover social events including art exhibitions, Exercise Classes, craft fairs. The Mill Hall is frequently used for wedding receptions, birthday parties, funeral wakes, Charity social nights (including Rayleigh British Legion) and local school Proms.

It is utilised as a social meeting place by a significant number of community organisations, groups, clubs, and exercise classes. They make regular use of the Mill Hall throughout the day, as well as evenings and weekends. Consequences of the decision by the Council to keep the Mill Hall closed, some organisations have dis-banded and others have become less well supported.
The Mill Hall helps to put the town on the map as a tourist destination, improving the local economy and supporting other businesses including the many restaurants & pubs in the area prior or after an Event.


Rayleigh’s position within the District - and its proximity/travel links to Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford - mean it is well placed to attract tourists and visitors who want to visit, eat out and then enjoy an event/show at the Mill Hall, without a long train journey home. The free parking after 1pm on Saturdays already brings in visitors to Rayleigh for shopping, so this would be ideal for evening shows/events at the Mill Hall.
The Mill Hall has excellent potential once renovated & refurbished. More focus/marketing placed on its Theatre staging ability. It could be a magnet for touring theatre groups and become part of the East of England theatre circuit, much like Chelmsford & Norwich.
Objections have been raised throughout the Asset Strategy Delivery Program by non-Administration District Councillors and residents with Rochford District Council over plans to demolish the Mill Hall and redevelop the site with housing. More than 4,000 people from the District have signed a petition opposing the demolition of the Mill Hall and building housing in the Rayleigh Conservation Area.
The Theatre’s Trust - the national advisory body for theatres and a statutory consultee within the planning system, has written to RDC in support of maintaining the Mill Hall performance venue.
Sustainable development as defined through the NPPF (2019) includes a social objective to support social and cultural wellbeing. Paragraph 92 seeks planning decisions to plan positively for facilities and to guard against unnecessary loss.
We do not consider there to be sufficient justification demonstrating the existing Mill venue and the live events it hosts are no longer required.

We would also suggest the economic impact on the town should be considered in terms of loss of audience spend in other businesses when attending shows and events. There will be significant harm to social and cultural wellbeing through the loss of existing events held at the Mill Hall.

Local Authorities are the biggest funder of arts and culture in England. They support cultural activity in their areas in order to provide their residents with a better quality of life, to promote tourism, stimulate the local economy, and build their area’s reputation – creating a unique sense of place. The Partnership Panel meeting earlier this year requested Officers research funding for the Mill Hall via Arts Council. Has this been completed and what opportunities are there to support this fantastic venue?