Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

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Support

Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

ED4 Future Employment Allocations - Preferred Options

Representation ID: 4371

Received: 17/12/2008

Respondent: Countryside Properties (Southern) Ltd

Representation Summary:

Support (in part)

We support the principle of a new employment allocation west of Rayleigh. As stated elsewhere, west Rayleigh has the most direct and least congested link to the principal roads serving the district (A130 and A127) and the immediate road network has capacity to accommodate further vehicular traffic. Land west of Rayleigh would therefore clearly be an attractive location for commercial/ business operators.

Object

Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

ED4 Future Employment Allocations - Preferred Options

Representation ID: 4372

Received: 17/12/2008

Respondent: Countryside Properties (Southern) Ltd

Representation Summary:

Object (in part)

However, we consider that the future employment allocation be north of London Road, not south of London Road. We can put forward several reasons for this:

• Countryside Properties has extensive experience in providing mixed use developments, including schemes that provide both residential units and employment allocations. Bearing in mind the extent of land under option, north of London Road, we could provide a business or employment park on this land without detriment to the residential amenities of the occupiers of any new residential development, providing a comprehensive sustainable mixed use development through careful masterplanning.

• If the employment allocation is to provide for a minimum of 2ha for business/ industrial park (as recommended in the employment land study), plus land for some of those users (to be relocated) on the Rawreth Industrial Estate (which is approximately 10ha), then probably a minimum of 10 to 12ha of land would be required. We are not sure that this size of site could be found south of London Road without affecting/requiring land occupied by existing buildings e.g. Swallows Aquatics, and/or bringing development close to the Little Wheatleys Road or the Little Wheatleys estate. We consider that 10/12 ha of land could be accommodated north of London Road, without encroaching into the flood zone or affecting any existing properties.

• Our experience shows us that for a location to be attractive, a high quality masterplanned business park of sufficient size must be available to provide the quality of environment that many businesses are now looking for. 10/12 hectares would probably be a minimum, especially if the site is to accommodate and support an Enterprise Centre (see comments on Policy ED5). A 10 ha site could equate to 400,000 square foot of floorspace. We suggest that such a site should accommodate a variety of uses and size of units. This would enable those smaller/start up business who start on the site to have the ability to grow and still remain on the site, utilizing the enterprise centre, small start up units or urban hives (typically providing 2,000 - 5,000 square foot) then moving up to medium sized sheds or hybrid/ bespoke buildings. Urban Hives can be adapted to provide office or industrial space.

• As part of our "call for sites" submission we stated that a "hopper" or "shuttle" bus service could be provided to serve the site and nearby communities and link the area to the town centre and rail station (transport and service hubs). The benefit of a larger site allocation (mixed use residential/employment and other uses) will be more likely support such a service and help make it more sustainable.

Comment

Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

ED4 Future Employment Allocations - Preferred Options

Representation ID: 4373

Received: 17/12/2008

Respondent: Countryside Properties (Southern) Ltd

Representation Summary:

The policy (or supporting text) does not identify the floorspace provision sought for this employment allocation, and we believe some indication should be given.

Object

Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

ED4 - Alternative Options

Representation ID: 4374

Received: 17/12/2008

Respondent: Countryside Properties (Southern) Ltd

Representation Summary:

We argue that an employment allocation north of London Road could be provided which is no closer to existing residential areas than any allocation south of London Road. We set out the benefits of a site north of London Road in our comments regarding Policy ED4.

Support

Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

ED5 - Eco-Enterprise Centre - Preferred Option

Representation ID: 4375

Received: 17/12/2008

Respondent: Countryside Properties (Southern) Ltd

Representation Summary:

We support the proposal to develop an eco-enterprise centre or business incubation centre. However, the deliverability of an eco-enterprise centre will be a key issue. If it is the council's intention that the private sector part or fully funds such a facility, it would need considerable "enabling" development i.e. sufficient revenue generated from other development to gain any support or help fund its provision.

Countryside Properties therefore may be able to help with the provision of such a facility in west Rayleigh but only if it forms part of a business park of adequate size and comprehensive mixed use development. Funding and provision will have to be carefully considered against other development costs and infrastructure requirements.

Comment

Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

ENV8 Code for Sustainable Homes - Preferred Option

Representation ID: 4376

Received: 17/12/2008

Respondent: Countryside Properties (Southern) Ltd

Representation Summary:

Additional wording should be added to the policy which states "or as is applicable, in accordance with national building regulations at the time."

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