Core Strategy Preferred Options (Revised October 2008)

C and S Associates support the preparation of a joint area action plan for land to the west of Rochford including the area encompassing London Southend Airport. It is important that the potential of this area is recognised in the Core Strategy and Policy ED1 and the key diagram provides important links to the area action plan.

Policy H2 recognises the potential for residential development to the west of Rochford because of its relationship with the area of significant employment growth potential at and around the airport. However, the policy should also recognise the residential development identified within the London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP).

For example, the Brickworks site is identified for residential development or residential led mixed use development in both the medium and high growth scenarios of the Issues and Options JAAP.

C and S Associates, owners of land which comprises part of the Brickworks site have previously submitted representations to support the designation of the site for residential development.

The Brickworks site is previously developed land and currently lies derelict and detracts from the surrounding landscape. Significant costs are likely to be associated with the clean up of the site. Without development it will be difficult to achieve this. The Brickworks site is not situated on the edge of a settlement but its redevelopment offers significant benefits.

In conclusion, Policies H2 and H3 should be amended to include residential development allocated in the London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan.

C and S Associates support changes to the green belt boundary to enable the required employment and residential development and, more specifically, to enable the development of the Brickworks site as identified in the JAAP. The draft JAAP recognises that without this amendment to the green belt this may hinder development and we agree with this; the green belt boundary can be amended to enable the beneficial development of the Brickworks to take place without compromising any adjoining green belt. The site can provided with defensible boundaries which will afford future protection of the surrounding green belt, should it remain, and so development will not threaten the function and purpose of the green belt.