Main 2

Valad welcomes the inclusion of the New Strategic Objective (6) which provides important protection for the town centre. Valad agrees that Southend town centre must be the first preference in the Borough for all forms of retail and leisure development, and other town centre uses attracting large numbers of people. It is essential that the policy framework creates an environment that encourages investment in the Central Area.
Valad support the inclusion of the proposed text to Policy DS1.1, and agrees that the town centre must remain the first preference for all forms of retail and leisure development, and for other town centre uses attracting large numbers of people. This modification is an important amendment which conveys greater support for taking steps to ensure the town centre's vitality and viability, and to encourage investment.
This paragraph would benefit from strengthening as follows:
"There is consequently a need to upgrade, enhance and broaden its offer and function to possible further include other complimentary uses. The effective promotion and marketing of the town centre to potential new investors will be crucial to this process, AS WILL THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 6 AND POLICY DS1.1 IN THE CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR RETAIL DEVELOPMENT".
This paragraph would benefit from strengthening as follows:
"New retail development should be well integrated and closely linked with the Town Centre Primary Shopping Area, as defined on the Policies Map, in terms of proximity, continuity of function and ease of access. The council will promote the town centre in seeking to upgrade and diversify its offer, AND PROTECT IT AGAINST IMPACTS FROM NON-TOWN CENTRE RETAIL PROPOSALS".

The proposed wording of DS1.1 in the Schedule of Modifications replicates the proposed wording of SBP and IP in its entirety and therefore, on behalf of SUFC I wish to re-emphasise that the wording is unsound and re-submit our proposed wording. In support of representations made on behalf of Stockvale Group and Turnstone, our letter of the 14th July highlighted that policy CS1.2 was unsound as the delivery of a commercially viable cinema would not be able to achieve the policy requirement for no net loss in car parking provision. However, no modifications have been made regarding policy CS1.2. Therefore, I wish to re-emphasise that this policy should not be made as it is highly uncertain that a leisure focused development on the Seaways Car Park could be viably delivered during the SCAAP Plan period.