Object
Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) - Revised Proposed Submission 2016
Representation ID: 2867
Received: 15/12/2016
Respondent: Stockvale Group
Agent: Stockvale Group
Legally compliant? No
Sound? Yes
Consultation Process
Southend Borough Council issued a letter to businesses dated 13 January 2016. This letter invited
businesses to have their say on the SCAAP. It stated that there were two public workshops planned
on 21st January at the Laurel & Hardy Room, Park Inn Palace, one in the morning and one in the
evening. Although dated 13th January, these letters were only received by seafront businesses two days before the deadline (i.e. on 190th January). Many businesses were not able to attend the event due to the short notice. Only three businesses turned up and one trader went along and was told that he had missed it. In addition, the workshop appeared to be primarily about residential issues, not business issues.
The letter to Adventure Island is attached for information.
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI, 2013) states that the Council will consult local
businesses (third bullet point, 'Who we will consult', Page 2). Under 'How we will consult', it states the following:
* "We will contact appropriate organisations and individuals directly by post or electronic
means" (second bullet);
* "We may publicise consultations by methods such as...community events, public exhibitions,
workshops..." (fifth bullet).
We consider that seafront businesses are major stakeholders and should have been properly consulted in accordance with the SCI. The Council failed to properly consult the business community in line with the SCI, by holding an event but not adequately informing businesses of the event in advance.
RPS has prepared the following representations to Southend Borough Council's Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP), Revised Proposed Submission Version (November 2016) The following Headings represent Paragraphs or Policies contained within the SCAAP. These representations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying completed Representations Forms.
Our client operates the largest and most successful tourism businesses in Southend (The StockvaleGroup is the owner and operator of: Adventure Island theme park; Sealife Adventure; Three Shells beach café; Pavilion Fish and Chips; Feelgoods Pizza Pasta Restaurant; Sands Bistro restaurant; Adventure Inside and Radio Essex). We would like an opportunity to explain our client's business aspirations and explain why the policies in the Plan will not provide a firm basis for the growth of tourism in Southend, and indeed will have the opposite effect on tourism businesses to the objectives set out at the start of the SCAAP. It is very important to our client that the Inspector understands the consequences of adopting the SCAAP as currently drafted.