Rochford District Core Strategy Regulation 26 Draft

Concern that all the projected figures are based around the potential of the Airport growth. We have more existing companies, on a number base, outside this area yet we don't consider them for further expansion in job numbers. As the estates these companies occupy are potential Brown site for redevelopment as housing and the new road infrastucture in the West of the District will come on line, is it time to look at repositioning these areas.
If the figures in the last census were to be noted then the number of jobs positions filled from the RDC area is in fact very few as 60%plus of the working population work outside the RDC area. As we are becoming by design a dormitory area should we be looking at altenative types of work such as retail centres, green tourism including hotels/guest housing? This would mean a shift in the present Green Belt Policy which for business use can't be changed but for housing it seems can.

The Policy has yet to be instigated, its flawed as no real lead has been made. We have the longest coastline in Essex yet very poor use of its potential. The need to look solely at land based projects in this already over crowded area id flawed. The ammount of funding required to make a success of the stratergy will involve private funding, unless there's assistance in a change of policy, with a potential of sustained growth in the sector this will not take place.

A singular approach to commecial development in the area, assuming the Airport will expand its capacities in the near future will involve drastic changes in planning policy. We have seen over the past decade many attemps fail due to planning policy in this area.
The Cherry Orchard Business Park area seems to have by its nature and ownership a limited potential to generate the number of new jobs required. The movement of companies to the site will only draw down their labour requirements from existing sources. What is needed is expansion of all types of businesses not only in the service sector but in high tech and manufacturing for this site to succeed in its potential. Again the assumption of the planners is flawed by over egging the potential without realising the short comings of one type of business being presnet on a business site. There is a need to generate new jobs, not transfer them from existing areas to one site. The infrastructure may take the cars which will attend the site but not the workstaff or customers requiring to get to and from the area for the purposes of work if green issues are to be addressed. Once again its taking into consideration all the aspects rather than those which fulfill a tick box.