Rayleigh Town Centre Area Action Plan - Issues and Options

Thank you for your email of 30 November consulting The Theatres Trust on the issues and options for the Rayleigh Area Action Plan.

The Theatres Trust is the national advisory public body for theatres and a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting land on which there is a theatre. This applies to all theatre buildings, old and new, in current use, in other uses, or disused. Established by The Theatres Trust Act 1976 'to promote the better protection of theatres', our main objective is to safeguard theatre use, or the potential for such use but we also provide expert advice on design, conservation, property and planning matters to theatre operators, local authorities and official bodies.

Due to the specific nature of the Trust's remit we are concerned with the protection and promotion of theatres and therefore anticipate policies relating to cultural facilities.

Question 4a

We support the creation of new access routes in Issue 3 as detailed in para.4.2.17, regarding the cluster of leisure and cultural uses around Rayleigh Mount. We also support the creation of new courtyard shopping areas which would provide better connectivity with the High Street. The courtyard squares could also include some appropriate venues for evening entertainments to expand the leisure offer, support vitality and help to minimise crime and disorder after the shops close for the day.

We look forward to being consulted on further planning policy documents.