Comment
New Local Plan
Representation ID: 3171
Received: 06/03/2019
Respondent: Essex Bridleways Association
Question 6.6: Southend is largely urbanised and has only a small proportion of its area as open countryside; however, that countryside area should be preserved and access to it enhanced. Southend appears to have no Definitive Map available nor does it have a Local Access Forum or a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (not that I have been able to find online); therefore, a significant issue is the apparent disinterest of the Council for the rights of way network within the borough.
A sustainable transport system not only should cater for ‘utility’ journeys but also for recreation and leisure – especially with the established link between good recreational opportunities for communities and the health and wellbeing of its residents. We therefore suggest that as a matter of urgency the Council considers the rights of way network and aims to enhance this so that it is accessible to as many user groups as possible – walking and cycling are already catered for within the proposals, but the needs of equestrians appear not to have been considered. For a Plan to be considered sound, the Inspector will need to see that it does not discriminate against any user groups (as demonstrated by previous hearings, for example where the Inspector required Maldon’s Local Plan to be amended so that its policies included equestrians), as soundness is a legal requirement of the Plan, any iteration of it should therefore not show any discriminatory aspects.
Question 6.6: Southend is largely urbanised and has only a small proportion of its area as open countryside; however, that countryside area should be preserved and access to it enhanced. Southend appears to have no Definitive Map available nor does it have a Local Access Forum or a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (not that I have been able to find online); therefore, a significant issue is the apparent disinterest of the Council for the rights of way network within the borough.
A sustainable transport system not only should cater for ‘utility’ journeys but also for recreation and leisure – especially with the established link between good recreational opportunities for communities and the health and wellbeing of its residents. We therefore suggest that as a matter of urgency the Council considers the rights of way network and aims to enhance this so that it is accessible to as many user groups as possible – walking and cycling are already catered for within the proposals, but the needs of equestrians appear not to have been considered. For a Plan to be considered sound, the Inspector will need to see that it does not discriminate against any user groups (as demonstrated by previous hearings, for example where the Inspector required Maldon’s Local Plan to be amended so that its policies included equestrians), as soundness is a legal requirement of the Plan, any iteration of it should therefore not show any discriminatory aspects.