Hockley Area Action Plan Options Report

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Core Strategy Issues and Options Plan. EEDA's principal role is to improve the East of England region's economic performance.
Our main concern with strategy documents is therefore that they will help deliver, and provide the spatial framework for:

* sustainable economic development and regeneration in the East of England, and in particular,
* the Regional Economic Strategy (Inventing the Future - Collective Action for a sustainable economy, 2008).

We note the legal status of Regional Strategies is fluid and we would suggest that the Council monitors the position carefully. The Secretary of State decision to revoke Regional Strategies has now been quashed although the Secretary of State had reiterated his intention to abolish the regional tier. Cala Homes has brought a second round of proceedings against the government over its approach to the abolition of regional strategies and is currently seeking a declaration from the Court that the government's stated intention to enact primary legislation in the future to abolish Regional Strategies is not a material consideration in planning decisions. The court has agreed with this approach, pending a full legal hearing into the lawfulness of the Secretary of State's statement and the chief planner's advice. As such, until the outcome of that hearing is announced in January 2011, it is clear that decision makers should have full regard to regional strategies as part of the statutory development plan.


Comments

EEDA previously commented on the Issues and Options AAP in April 2009. At this time EEDA commented that it is important that the Objectives contain an economic vision so that the AAP can deliver an economically successful and prosperous town centre that will deliver the regeneration benefits and meet its full economic performance. Although the document does contain an overarching framework and principles there seems to be a lack of vision that seeks to promote an economically successful and prosperous town centre that will deliver the regeneration benefits and meet its full economic performance.

If you would like to discuss any of these matters in further detail, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address.