London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan Preferred Options

Essex FSB Response
Essex FSB supports the principle of expanding London Southend Airport as bringing extra prosperity to the area and attracting new businesses and visitors.
This policy response is based on business needs and does not reflect the interests of residents
outside the economic benefits.
We wish to see the projected 7,000 additional jobs being ones that are appropriate for the local community and that suitable education and training is provided to enable local people to successfully fill such jobs.
In addition we wish to see the environmental impact of the project minimised including the use of local firms during the construction phase and then to provide goods and services to the airport and other companies based on the site and on the business park so the carbon footprint is reduced and the revenue is retained in the local economy.
The planned Business Park needs to address the current shortage of start up and incubation units in the Thames Gateway corridor and also the shortage of a suitable conference/training venue for business use.
Provision of additional hotel accommodation as part of the scheme is another aspect Essex FSB would like to see as there is a shortage of reasonable quality hotel accommodation in the area.

Essex FSB Recommendation One
That the new Business Park should:
1. include units which have rateable values below the £15,000 Small Business Rate Relief threshold
2. include units which have integral reliable, high speed broadband access
3. include units which are constructed to be energy efficient
4. include units which are suitable for start up businesses and for those looking to move on from a start up unit to one slightly larger as well as having units suitable for established businesses
5. include sufficient car parking for staff and visitors
6. include a good and effective public transport interchange
7. include a centre which provides serviced facilities for SMEs including meeting rooms and a conference facility
8. have within the project design out crime features to reduce the likelihood of businesses becoming victims of crime.
9. ensure that the units provided deliver the space required for businesses and that change of use of units from their designated purpose should be avoided.

Essex FSB Recommendation Two
That transport infrastructure improvements are completed before the occupancy of the expanded airport facilities and/or the business park is permitted.

Essex FSB Recommendation Three
That suitable legal agreements are put in place to finance transport infrastructure improvements before planning permission is given.

Essex FSB Recommendation Four
That the provision of a park and ride facility needs to be carefully planned to ensure that the buses provide a reliable service for employees at the business park and for the airport terminal, including outside normal working hours, and also should provide the opportunity for bus services to central Southend for visitors and shoppers to use to encourage more use of Town Centre facilities including shops.

Essex FSB Recommendation Five
That the provision of the Aviation Academy is supported to help raise the skills base in the Thames Gateway corridor.

Essex FSB Recommendation Six
That as part of the planning permission conditions be attached to enable Essex based firms which can provide the same quality service and goods at a competitive price to be given preference for contracts to supply the airport and its associated companies during the construction and subsequent operational phases. It is suggested that a minimum of 25 per cent of such contracts (by value) should be given to Essex based firms.