Development Management Development Plan (DPD)

Comment

Representation ID: 784

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Issue DM3 - Intensification of Existing Residential Sites and Areas: The proposed approach of the policy needs to be subject of wholesale review in light of the changes to the classification of backland and infill land in PPS3;

Comment

Representation ID: 785

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Issue DM7 - Flood Risk and Water Management: The proposed approach needs to be revised to accord with the requirements of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 in terms of SUDS provision and the changes to connectivity arrangements

Comment

Representation ID: 786

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Issue DM11 - Dwelling Mix: The proposed approach needs to reflect the implications of deliverability difficulties associated with the proposed provision of high density flatted development

Comment

Representation ID: 787

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Issue DM26 - Sustainable Transport Management: The proposed approach fails to address the potential for improvements to the strategic transport infrastructure network that could be accommodated through growth in the north of the borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 1244

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Iceni Projects Ltd (Iceni) has been instructed by Cordea Savills on behalf of Colonnade Land LLP (Colonnade) to submit representations to the Development Management Document (DMD) and Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) Development Plan Documents (DPDs). Colonnade represents the interests of landowners to the north of Southend.
Colonnade considers Southend to be one of the most important locations in the Thames Gateway for improving both the local and regional economy. This is based on the potential that exists for Southend to function as a regional city for Essex Thames Gateway and the potential of Southend Airport to develop into a successful regional airport for the sub-region and an economic pole in its own right.

Comment

Representation ID: 1245

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

The advent of localism and the changes to the planning system being brought into place by the Government provide an opportunity for the Council to drastically enhance the quality of life of its residents, enhance the individuality and unique character of Southend and provides the optimum framework to deliver on the long-standing objectives of the Council to deliver improvements to the strategic transport infrastructure network.

Comment

Representation ID: 1246

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Colonnade recognises that the potential of Southend cannot be fully realised without extensive new highway and public transport infrastructure and accordingly, Colonnade is promoting an extension of Southend to enable the delivery of significant improvements to the strategic transport infrastructure network that will realise the long-standing objectives of the Council arising from the original Local Transport Plan. Plans for the expansion of the airport are taking shape and must be supported by improvements to the remainder of the strategic transport network.

Comment

Representation ID: 1247

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

The new Government has announced a series of significant changes to the planning system that are material to the Core Strategy and its daughter documents, including the DMD and SCAAP. Whilst the intention of the changes is not to derail or stop the LDF production process, it is inevitable that the implications of the changes will need to be considered by the Council. In the absence of clarification from the Council as to its intended path - principally the choice between continuing with the Core Strategy as adopted (and continuing the production of its daughter documents based on an unaltered strategy), or opting to alter the Core Strategy to take account of the changes. Either way, the Council is expected to: ".quickly signal their intention to undertake an early review so that communities and land owners know where they stand." [guidance issued on 6 July 2010 by the Department for Communities and Local Government].We await the response from the Council as to its intentions regarding housing targets and reserve the right to comment further on the clarification of its position. If the Council decides the appropriate path is to undertake an early review of the Core Strategy, which for the avoidance of doubt Colonnade considers is the appropriate approach in light of the changes to PPS3 in particular (the reasons for this being clarified below), then the consultation on the DMD and SCAAP should be held in abeyance pending the outcome of the review.

With regard to the housing targets set out in the now revoked East of England Plan, Colonnade would welcome the swift clarification of the intended approach to the housing provision targets in accordance with Government advice.

Comment

Representation ID: 1248

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

It is also significant that neighbouring authorities are understood to be considering reducing their housing targets with the expectation that Southend will absorb the resultant surplus and it is clear that the Government has confirmed the expectation that authorities will work together to address these, and other, issues. The confirmation of the shortfall in the housing land supply in Rochford, approximately 2.5 years, by the Inspector and the Secretary of State at the recent recovered appeal (ref. APP/B1550/A/09/2118433/NWF), provides a clear indication of the extent of the issues being faced by a neighbouring authority.

Comment

Representation ID: 1249

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Iceni Projects

As to the changes to PPS3, these are considered to be a material change that could fundamentally affect the principal aims of the housing strategy set out in the Core Strategy. As such, Colonnade considers that the Council will need to consider a review of the Core Strategy as a result of these changes as a minimum. The change in classification of backlands/gardens and the abandonment of the minimum housing density targets will act to further enhance the need to identify additional housing sites through the planning process. Quite simply, the Council will not be able to rely to any extent on the delivery of windfall sites, the level of development within the Town Centre and Central Area or further intensification of the urban areas to the extent envisaged in the Core Strategy. As such, wholesale changes will be required to the housing strategy to maintain a five and fifteen year supply of suitable, available and viable housing sites. It is significant that there has been growing concern amongst Council Members over town cramming and the provision of a large predominance of flatted developments. The changes to PPS3 do allow the Council to apply greater freedoms in the types and standards of housing (size and densities) sought, provided there is sufficient additional land supply identified to address these improved standards.