3.7 Do you have any other issues/comments you would like to raise

Retailers generally are suffering due to the internet. There needs to be encouragement & support for other uses (leisure/restaurant/housing) in and around the High Street.
The new stadium/retail/leisure/residential scheme at Fossetts Farm should be supported to keep jobs/investment in Southend, even if it is on the fringe on town rather than centre

Planning decisions linked to improving the local area and linked to SECTA to support the local skills base.
courses offered by FE and HE better aligned to UK and Southend business need.
Improved programme of Work Experience to link businesses with education

RDC would like to emphasise the strong economic relationship between Rochford and Southend, and continued support for achieving the ambitions of the Southend Airport Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP). Any economic strategy should prioritise the creation and retaining of job opportunities in the most sustainable locations, including local town centres and the emerging Airport Business Park. Any proposals to create new employment areas should strongly consider the impacts this would have on areas of existing employment uses, including town centres and employment areas in Rochford District. RDC would encourage Southend to work together to explore opportunities to improve cross-boundary sustainable transport connections to allow greater connectivity between local settlements and strategic employment sites. This should include exploring opportunities to improve linkages between London Southend Airport (and adjacent employment areas), local town centres and areas of population, including in Rochford District.

Southend’s plan-making should also consider and reflect the emerging economic strategy of the South Essex 2050 project, including the South Essex JSP, and should act as a mechanism to secure economic gains for both Southend and the wider sub-region. The economic strategy should consider and complement the economic strategies of neighbouring authorities across South Essex, allowing local and regional economic aspirations to mutually succeed. Southend should also continue to work with Rochford District Council to consider how both authorities’ economic aspirations could be met through any new strategic approach, such as the JAAP.

draft comment test

Within all options, green space should be a priority to increase the greenery available. This will enhance health, AQ, climate change resilience, flood management etc

No

Encourage cheaper rents to attract businesses into empty premises.

The inclusion of outdoor work spaces with free wifi could not only benefit Small and Medium Sized Enterprises it could also help with the health and well being of those who work in the borough. This type of facility should be included in new business parks and office developments. Developer funding could also be used to provide these in pubic spaces.

The Local plan identifies “digital, cultural and creative; healthcare technology; advanced manufacturing and engineering; and tourism sectors” as the key growth drivers within the Borough. Generally, we do not have an opinion on how land should be allocated for employment sites. However, local plans do not offer foresight with regard to specific major water users coming forward within the plan period, due to the breadth of employment land uses within the Use Classes Order. In addition, it is not always possible to predict exactly what will happen in the future, as has been demonstrated with the change to the economic climate in recent years. Consequently, it is difficult to predict what the demand on water supply will be. We therefore wish to work closely with the council going forward, particularly if large water users propose to develop employment sites, in order to ensure there is adequate water supply to facilitate the proposal and meet the vision of the council.

the text and slides attached, introduces the Metrotidal Lower Thames Orbital and forms the Metrotidal Limited submission and response to the Southend Local Plan consultations, to support the aims and objectives of the local plan while offering an alternative approach to deliverability with a view to generating greater benefits. Deliverability is likely to extend beyond the local plan period, so the proposals raise a question of safeguarding to enable delivery as part of the long term objectives of the Southend 2050 plan.
Set out below are some initial responses to the 12No. Local Plan section headings of the consultations:-
Our Vision
Metrotidal Limited supports the key messages in Box 1 of the Southend 2050 plan.
Spatial Strategy
1.4 – Metrotidal Limited supports Option 3, i.e. Option 2 + working with neighbouring authorities. The Metrotidal proposal would mitigate any local loss of greenbelt and greenfield land by providing much improved access to greenbelt and greenfield land on the routes of the rail orbital and Sustrans cycle networks across the Lower Thames and Medway estuaries. Furthermore, the new connectivity supports an integrated and co-ordinated approach to existing and new housing developments across the Lower Thames Estuary while providing the resilience of alternative routes across the estuary and into Central London.
Housing
2.1(b), 2.3, 2.4, 2.7. The Metrotidal proposal supports both increased housing supply at public transport and town centre locations including land released by redevelopment of the Southend Victoria terminus as well as the potential of the “Sector D “ Fossets Farm, Garon Park and Bournes Green Chase area, with access from Southend Airport Station.
Securing a Thriving Local Economy
3.7 The Metrotidal proposal creates an orbital line for the Lower Thames Estuary, bringing together new markets and opportunities for Southend in terms of outward connectivity and inward investment. The Medway Towns are currently up to 2-hours away but at a distance of only 20km. The Metrotidal Lower Thames Orbital brings South Essex and North Kent within a 30 minute journey, creating a single economy larger than Manchester.
Promoting Southend as a Major Resort
4. The Metrotidal proposal supports Southend as an exemplar coastal tourism destination within the UK. The sea defence system becomes itself a major tourist attraction. The proposals include a high-quality marina development with a cruise liner terminal and Thames Clipper ferry landings all served by a Thames Estuary Station, enhancing Southend as a gateway for national and international tourism. The marina, cruise liner terminal and ferry landings complement the original development of the pier as a tourist gateway to Southend. The integrated transport connections, including the rail links to Southend Airport, Ebbsfleet and Central London, provide an attractive tourist offer and radically improve access to the Southend conurbation.
Providing for Vibrant and Attractive Town Centres
5.6 The Metrotidal proposal supports the regeneration of the town centre for the 21st century with a new Southend Central underground station linking the existing lines while releasing the Southend Victoria terminus site for redevelopment.
Providing for a Sustainable Transport System
6.6 The Metrotidal proposals promote green-growth across the Lower Thames estuary by including a floating solar array and wind turbines to generate renewable energy for the railway orbital and tunnel M+E systems along with an efficient data storage and distribution system.
Facilitating Good Design and Healthy Living
7.5 The Metrotidal Lower Thames Orbital provides ready access to the wide open spaces of the Thames and Medway estuaries.
Providing Community Services and Infrastructure
8.4 The Metrotidal proposals contribute to improved broadband infrastructure and connectivity.

Enhancing our Natural Environment
9.3 As noted above The Metrotidal Lower Thames Orbital provides ready access to the wide open spaces of the Thames and Medway estuaries.
Planning for Climate Change
10.1 The Metrotidal proposal protects the full length of the Thames tideway upstream with a system that is only 8km long.
Ensuring that the Local Plan is Delivered
12.5 The Metrotidal proposal for integrated infrastructure enables overall costs to be reduced while increasing the net economic benefits. Municipal Railway Bonds and other innovative funding initiatives replace conventional public/private sector funding sources to restore the co-ordination of railway and land development that had contributed to the growth of Southend in the 19th and 20th centuries.

As a Southend resident I wanted to add a few comments regarding planning going forward for the town.
One of the major concerns for people I work with and know is the lack of support for SEN pupils in schools-this includes a lot of school spaces all being in one secondary school-which is in special measures. There is a lack of specialist provision for pupil between Years 2 and 6, and schools don’t feel equipped to support the more complex needs we have in the community now.

New flats being built etc are causing congestion and a demand for local services such as health and social care. Also a demand on parking, which I feel impacts on tourism.

There are clearly huge issues with the gap between the high and low earning citizens, and a huge homelessness problem, which I know is national and a reflection of cuts etc.
In terms of existing housing, those of us who have bought our own properties in the 130-200k range are often buying extremely old houses. These need a high level of maintenance and attention, putting a financial strain on middle income earners. This then has an impact on those who should have income to spend in our local businesses and on services, as we are all spending money trying to combat damp etc in our old homes and keep them heated. I feel a fund or grant to improve older properties will help improve the lives of property owners and their general health. This also applies to those with rental properties. Currently this only applies to very low earners.

There is also a huge problem with private maintenance companies who have contracts with a lot of our local leasehold and rented properties. Meaning landlords and homeowners are paying huge monthly expenses for very sub standard maintenance support. This means payments are going out to these companies and the properties are falling into disrepair as homeowners cant afford to improve them. We sought out legal advice and got out of our maintenance contract, but some people do not know how to do this or cannot afford to.
There are no longer as many events to draw people in such as the air show, which was a great way to attract tourism etc.
The gap between low and high earners is becoming worse, which again is a sign of government change at a national level. I feel that the secondary school standards here are slipping due to a lack of investment in the education system and other support services. This has a knock on effect on our citizens and their ability to contribute to our town economically. I feel the grammar school system that we have means that mainstream secondaries will struggle as the top achievers are ‘creamed’ off and the ability to push the top students in mainstream schools is more difficult. The SEMH school (PLT) is not of a sufficient standard and therefore those who have the opportunity to find further education and employment who have emotional issues are not being given a fair chance to close the gap between low and middle earners. Mental health support is an enorour need in recent years, and the support we have is extremely stretched-those who do not meet the threshold for mental health NHS support are not being supported and this is resulting in poor outcomes for those who have mental health issues (again a national issue).
I do love my town and all the amenities it provides, but there needs to be an emphasis on services to support its residents, ensuring there are enough resources for those of us here. Older properties and their issues have been the most significant reason why I have felt frustrated as a citizen.

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