New Local Plan
Search representations
Results for Essex Bridleways Association search
New searchComment
New Local Plan
6.6 Do you have any other issues/comments
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.
Comment
New Local Plan
7.5 Do you have any other issues/ comments
Representation ID: 3172
Received: 06/03/2019
Respondent: Essex Bridleways Association
Question 7: as per the comments to question 6.6, good access to recreation and leisure is imperative to the health and wellbeing of the borough’s residents, and any new large-scale development within a greenfield site should include opportunities for access for ALL user groups, including equestrians – bridleways are the ‘best value’ multi-user routes as they cater for all vulnerable user groups – pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and the disabled – and as such should be considered as the default option in such cases.
It should be remembered that horse riding is often an activity enjoyed by women and children, two groups who are often targeted to increase their uptake of exercise and the provision of off-road routes is imperative to continuing recreational horse riding within an area due to the increase in traffic which will inevitably happen with an increase in the population. This coupled with the economic benefits that horse owning brings to the local economy – for example vets, farriers, feed merchants, saddlers etc – strongly evidences the need to ensure that there are off-road routes available. Any design policies within the Plan should incorporate such multi-user routes for this Plan to be found sound by an Inspector.
Question 7: as per the comments to question 6.6, good access to recreation and leisure is imperative to the health and wellbeing of the borough’s residents, and any new large-scale development within a greenfield site should include opportunities for access for ALL user groups, including equestrians – bridleways are the ‘best value’ multi-user routes as they cater for all vulnerable user groups – pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and the disabled – and as such should be considered as the default option in such cases.
It should be remembered that horse riding is often an activity enjoyed by women and children, two groups who are often targeted to increase their uptake of exercise and the provision of off-road routes is imperative to continuing recreational horse riding within an area due to the increase in traffic which will inevitably happen with an increase in the population. This coupled with the economic benefits that horse owning brings to the local economy – for example vets, farriers, feed merchants, saddlers etc – strongly evidences the need to ensure that there are off-road routes available. Any design policies within the Plan should incorporate such multi-user routes for this Plan to be found sound by an Inspector.
Support
New Local Plan
9.3
Representation ID: 3173
Received: 06/03/2019
Respondent: Essex Bridleways Association
Question 9.3: the provision of a new country park is a welcome proposal and we would ask that any new parks and open spaces within new development is accessible to all users, including equestrians.
Question 9.3: the provision of a new country park is a welcome proposal and we would ask that any new parks and open spaces within new development is accessible to all users, including equestrians.
Comment
New Local Plan
12.5 Do you have any other issues/comments
Representation ID: 3174
Received: 06/03/2019
Respondent: Essex Bridleways Association
Question 12.5: as mentioned in our previous comments, it is important that this Borough recognises the need to enhance its rights of way network and to aspire to make it as fully accessible as possible, and in this respect Essex Bridleways Association would be very pleased to meet with the Council to discuss how best this could be done. We work in close association with both Essex County Council and Thurrock Council in respect of their rights of way network – being represented on both Local Access Forums – and would welcome the opportunity to do so with Southend Borough Council.
Question 12.5: as mentioned in our previous comments, it is important that this Borough recognises the need to enhance its rights of way network and to aspire to make it as fully accessible as possible, and in this respect Essex Bridleways Association would be very pleased to meet with the Council to discuss how best this could be done. We work in close association with both Essex County Council and Thurrock Council in respect of their rights of way network – being represented on both Local Access Forums – and would welcome the opportunity to do so with Southend Borough Council.
