London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan Submission Document

Draft Policy E3 explains that development in area 1A will be permitted subject to a schedule which sets out that the area should provide 20,000sqm of Use Class B1/ Education floorspace / 1,000 jobs. It confirms that supporting uses may also be accepted where they are required and explains that development will be required to make a contribution towards achieving the new open space to the north and east of the site.

C and S Associates support the designation of the site for development. The Brickworks site is previously developed land and is currently derelict and detracts from the surrounding landscape. Redevelopment will enhance the area, with the site becoming a positive addition in economic and visual terms. The proposals are therefore consistent with achieving sustainable development. However, such improvements will incur significant costs

The potential significant costs associated with remediation should be taken into account when considering the appropriateness or otherwise of any planning obligations. This will ensure that the development is viable.

Draft Policy E4 confirms that area 1A is expected to be developed as the first phase of the business park.

C and S Associates support the designation of the site for development. The Brickworks site is previously developed land and currently lies derelict and detracts from the surrounding landscape. Redevelopment will enhance the area and will involve the remediation of the site.

As far as we are aware, Area Phase 1A should be deliverable by 2021. C and S Associates are committed to working with the Council and other landowners to ensure that this is achievable.

However, remediation is likely to incur significant costs and this needs to be taken into account in considering potential planning obligations to ensure that the scheme is viable.

Draft Policy E5 sets out that the development of area 1A will include a landmark building and entrance feature/gateway to establish the identity of the area and a new junction to provide access to the business park.

C and S Associates support the designation of the site for development. The Brickworks site is previously developed land and currently lies derelict and detracts from the surrounding landscape. Redevelopment will enhance the area and enable the remediation of the site.
Our clients welcome the proposal by Southend Borough Council to fund or deliver with other mechanisms the initial section of the new access road and green corridor as this will help to ensure that the development is deliverable and therefore effective.

Developing the site is likely to incur significant costs, including remediation and this should be taken into account when considering the appropriateness or otherwise of any planning obligations.

Draft Policy ENV 1 sets out that the boundary of the Metropolitan Green Belt will be amended as shown on the Proposals Map.

C and S Associates support the proposed changes to the green belt boundary as identified on the proposals map. The green belt boundary can be amended to enable this beneficial development to take place without compromising any adjoining areas of green belt. The brickworks site can provided with defensible boundaries which will afford future protection of the adjoining green belt and will not threaten the function and purpose of the green belt.

Overall, C and S Associates support the Implementation and Delivery Plan for Project 1A: Saxon Business Park. However the proposed 'infrastructure improvements' are potentially onerous and could affect the viability of a scheme for the site, as such it is considered that the Implementation and Delivery Plan is unsound.

In relation to the risk associated with the different ownership, C and S Associates are committed to working with the Council and other landowners to bring the site forward for development.

With regard to the potential remediation costs, C and S Associates support the recognition that there are potentially significant costs associated with remediation. There needs to be a pragmatic approach to ensure that the scheme is viable.

In relation to the infrastructure requirements, it is not clear who will be required to deliver these, and it will important to be flexible to ensure that the development is achievable. The requirements for new open space and providing a new access into Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park and a visitor centre appear to be onerous. It is not considered that they are necessary to make the Saxon Business Park acceptable in planning terms and it is important that the costs associated with these are not prohibitively high.