Have you seen this new artwork on the hoardings near Rayleigh Station? If you can’t read it the writing says “Welcome To Rayleigh”. We understand it’s there with the approval of the landowner. We’d be interested to know your views on this! As a reminder, here’s a picture of how the site has previously looked:

June 15th, 2013 | Category: Rayleigh | Comments (8)

New Post Box

It’s only taken 8 1/2 months, but we are pleased to see that the Post Office have replaced the stolen mailbox in Deepdene Avenue , Rayleigh.

June 4th, 2013 | Category: Rayleigh | Leave a comment

We are almost certainly going to get about 550 new homes “North of London Road” and about 220 on the Rawreth Industrial Estate. We didn’t want it, but now we must work to get the best outcome we can. Chris Black has been asking the council some questions recently – here they are, with the answers:

QUESTION
I notice that in the Allocations Document, in the section dealing with Land North Of London Road, it states:
“A Health Impact Assessment must be undertaken and accompany any planning applications to develop the site. Actions required to address any negative impacts identified through the Health Impact Assessment must accompany the development of the site.”
What sort of impacts could these be? Could they result in an additional local GP surgery?

ANSWER:

A Health Impact Assessment should consider the impact of the proposed development on health care provision in the surrounding area, including an assessment of existing healthcare provision at the time the application is made, and whether additional facilities would be required.
A Health Impact Assessment should also look at the wider health impacts of a proposed development, examining such issues as access to open space and leisure facilities; and whether the design of the development would contribute positively towards health through, for example, the density being such that it allowed for good size living and amenity areas.

QUESTION
Who will carry out the assessment? What developers have contacted the council so far regarding “Land North of London Road”

ANSWER
The assessment will have to be submitted alongside the planning application and would be produced by the agent / applicant, or a consultant on their behalf (for example, the health impact assessment for the application to redevelopment the former brickworks site at Star Lane, Great Wakering was produced for the applicant by Pegasus Planning Group). As part of the planning application process, public health (now transferred from NHS to County) will be consulted and have the opportunity to review the assessment (in a similar way to how ECC highways would review a transport assessment submitted alongside a planning application).
Countryside Properties have stated they have control over land between Rawreth Lane and London Road, and are in the process of drawing up a masterplan for the development of the site.

 THREE MORE QUESTIONS
– are Countryside also involved with the redevelopment of the Rawreth Industrial Estate, and how is is that proceeding?Is anything you have told me in this exchange of emails confidential or not suitable for publication?

ANSWER
I do not believe Countryside are directly involved in the redevelopment of the Rawreth Industrial Estate. However, they are mindful of the need to ensure development of the proposed site to the west can integrate with the proposed redevelopment of Rawreth Industrial Estate in the future. Redevelopment of Rawreth Industrial Estate is projected to take place later in the plan period than the adjacent greenfield site.
In terms of progress on redevelopment of the Rawreth Industrial Estate, it is still at a very early stage. Property consultants are currently looking at the detailed viability of redeveloping the site, and of course there remains the matter of ensuring suitable alternative land for displaced businesses is allocated, which the Allocations Document currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate seeks to do.

None of the information I have set out above or below is confidential or unsuitable for publication.

June 3rd, 2013 | Category: Future Housing, Health and Care, North of London Road, Rawreth, Rawreth Green Belt, Rayleigh | Comments (2)

Rayleigh Through The Looking Glass has a feature this month on schools – you can find it here.

It includes a photo of The British School For Girls in about 1890:

The building is still there, next to the Baptist Church:

June 1st, 2013 | Category: History and Culture, Rayleigh | Leave a comment

The application for a site for travelling show people in Goldsmith Drive, Rayleigh, was refused at the Development Committee tonight. Reasons for refusal were inappropriate use of the Green Belt, and poor access.

Chris Black was the main speaker against the application, and asked for the wording of the refusal to include  the impact on nearby residential properties, he was supported in this by June Lumley. When it came to a vote they were backed by councillors from all parts of the council chamber.

May 30th, 2013 | Category: Green Belt, Planning Applications, Rawreth, Rayleigh | Leave a comment

A planning inspector has just made an interesting decision. It wasn’t a big application. The applicant has a house on the edge of Rayleigh, and the property includes some land inside the Green Belt. There used to be quite a big outbuilding in the Green Belt part of the property, but it had been destroyed by fire. The applicant simply wanted a new outbuilding to be used for
storage of a boat, mini digger,trailer, dumper and domestic items.

The District Council had refused the application, and the inspector has upheld the refusal, purely for reasons to do with appearance. He wrote:

The new building would be steel framed with a shallow mono-pitched roof.
Also, it would have an irregular shaped footprint which would occupy virtually all of the southern end of the plot immediately behind the house. Although the sides of the building would be clad with timber feather edge boarding, it would have a stark and utilitarian appearance which would be out of keeping with the mixed rural and residential character and appearance of the locality….
——
…The thrust of Policy HP6 of the Rochford District Replacement Local Plan (LP) is to seek development of a high standard of design which takes into account visual amenity, its relationship with other buildings and scale and form. In this case the proposed building would appear large and bulky in relation to its site…..
——
…..At the heart of the Framework, there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development and should make places better for people. Also, the Frame work indicates that pursuing sustainable development involves seeking positive improvements in the quality of the built environment and that permission should be refused for development of poor design that fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area. Whilst the proposed building would be a replacement of a previously approved building, the development would not meet the aims of good design sought by the Framework. Therefore, on balance and for the above reasons, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.

So the appearance of buildings does matter – even if they are only for storing a boat and a mini-digger. That’s something that councillors should remember – not only in Rochford Districe but elsewhere.

You can find more information here.

May 29th, 2013 | Category: Planning Policy, Rayleigh | Comments (1)

https://www.facebook.com/events/443584729066640/?ref=3

It’s on Saturday June 29th in King George’s Field. 10:00am until 5:00pm – it’s going to be  a BIG day.

“Join us for one of the countries largest Armed Forces Day celebrations, from school performances, to bands, displays, performances from the Colchesters Military Wives Choir, get to meet your local troops, see the amazing military vehicles on display from the 1940′s all the way up to the current day. We also have the Tigers parachute display team jumping into the arena, as well as the RAF performing a number of flypasts throughout the day (weather permitting). There will be inflatables and games for the kids, a completely self contained food court to cater for all tastes and so much more, make sure you don’t miss this event!!
Can we please ask that due to the number of attendees expected it is advised you make use of all public transport links due to the limited parking availability in the town. All main bus routes pass within 200 meters of the venue and the train station is only a 10 minute walk away.

Priority entry is via advance purchase of an official event programme, this will admit a family of 4 for only £3 and they will be available locally in the build up to the event, locations to be confirmed on here and in the local press. Additional children with a programme holder can gain priority entry for a donation, additional adults need a programme. Admission is free on the day dependant on visitor safety, programme holders get priority though.”

May 25th, 2013 | Category: Events, Good Causes, Rayleigh | Comments (3)

The planning application at Goldsmith Drive, Rayleigh for a site from Travelling Show People comes to the Development Committee next Thursday 30th.Officers are recommending refusal for Green Belt reasons and also poor access.

You can find the full report here

Here is the full officers recommendation:

7 RECOMMENDATION
7.1 It is proposed that the Committee RESOLVES To REFUSE planning
permission for the following reasons:-
(1) The saved Rochford District Replacement Local Plan (2006) shows the
site to be within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Within the Green Belt
planning permission will not be given except in very special
circumstances for the construction of new buildings or for the change of
use or extension of existing buildings (other than reasonable extensions
to existing buildings, as defined in Policies R2 and R5 of the saved Local
Plan). The proposal is considered to be inappropriate development
contrary to Green Belt Policy. Any development that is permitted shall be
of a scale, design and siting such that the appearance of the countryside
is not impaired.
The proposal does not come into any of the excepted categories and, if
allowed, would develop an existing open and undeveloped site with an
existing tall grass covering with development in the form of touring
caravans, mobile homes, commercial vehicle storage and maintenance
and a hardstanding area to some 56% of the site coverage, which taking
all these features together, would detract visually from the relative
undeveloped plotland appearance and character of that part of the Green
Belt in which the site would be situated and would introduce noise and
commercial repairs to show men’s equipment, detracting from the
amenity enjoyed to this location.
(2) The proposal would be served by a 117m length of unmade plotland
road to a width of 5m without footway and a poor surface. As such, the
site would not enjoy a direct access onto a metalled highway surface and
the proposal would instead encourage further commercial traffic onto the
sub standard highway network to the detriment of the safety to
pedestrians and other highway users and the flow of traffic.

May 24th, 2013 | Category: Green Belt, Planning Applications, Rawreth, Rayleigh | Comments (2)

Another FixMyStreet this morning, about the bird estate in Rayleigh:

May 21st, 2013 | Category: Highways & Parking, Rayleigh | Leave a comment

The District Council website mentions that the play “The Admirable Crichton” is on at the Mill Arts And Events Centre on the 16th , 17th and 18th May , performed by Rayleigh Operatic & Dramatic Society:

Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May at 7:30pm, additional matinee on Saturday 18th May at 2:00pm.
Tickets cost £10 adults & £8 concessions and are available from our Box Office on 01268 771751

More information here on the District Council website.
However it’s a bit odd that there’s almost no info on the Mill’s website:

May 8th, 2013 | Category: Events, History and Culture, Rayleigh | Leave a comment

Rayleigh Town Council have been very active in revitalising Rayleigh market. Up till now the comments we’ve heard about this have been generally very positive.

The Town Council are now applying to the District Council for planning permission, to cover the market on Wednesdays as it is now, but also for weekends and bank holidays and the Christmas Lights Event.

To quote from the officers report:

Planning permission is sought to operate an open air market within Rayleigh
High Street on Wednesdays (this is already occurring so is retrospective),
weekends, bank holidays and at the Christmas lights event.
+
The purpose of this application is to gain planning permission to avoid the
need to submit separate Street Trading Consent applications each year for
such markets which cost the Town Council £250 each. The Wednesday
market occurs on a weekly basis. The Town Council also wish to arrange
occasional weekend/Bank Holiday markets in the High Street. These may be
themed such as farmers markets, continental markets, or
second hand good markets.
+
The Wednesday market is held on 52 Wednesdays of the year and
one Christmas Event is currently held. The Town Council has advised that
they are willing to cooperate with RDC/ECC regarding the number of times a year
that markets may be held.
+
The Wednesday market is currently open for custom between the hours of
7:30 and 4, these hours are also sought for the possible weekend/bank
holiday markets.
+ Whilst the Wednesday market currently only operates on the
taxi rank side of the High Street, ECC is currently progressing an application
to allow more stalls on the other side of the High Street and this application
seeks consent for the market to occur on both sides of the High Street from
the top of Crown Hill to the clock at Bellingham Lane. The Christmas lights
event festive market is usually held on the last Thursday in November
however, this date has to be flexible. This market extends beyond the
Wednesday market positioning sought, extending up to Church Street. The
weekend/bank holiday markets would occur in the same positioning as the
Wednesday market but excluding the taxi rank.

Officers are recommending approval. However the application has attracted some negative comments:

LOCAL RESIDENTS
-
5 responses received (23 Bowbank Close Shoebury,
63 Bowers Road Benfleet, 3 Nevern Road Rayleigh, Martin McColl 71 High
Street, unknown address) which can be summarised as follows:
Taxi rank related concerns:
o
Wednesdays already a problem as public park in designated taxi areas
and market overruns by at least half an hour.
o
Elderly people get confused as to where they pick up their cab from
with some finding it a real struggle to get across the road and half way
up the hill to get a taxi.
o
Saturdays and bank holidays are busy times for taxi drivers and the
high street with all the taxis on the main road it will only add to the
congestion.
There are many other places to hold a weekend and bank holiday
market with parking facilities so confused as to why, as difficult as it is
already for us to earn a living, the Council is considering taking prime
times away from us.
o
This will affect a lot of drivers in the area to appease a handful of
traders who would do better to use the indoor market area provided or
one of the three half filled car parks or even the rear of the indoor
market.
o
If the market is just going to be up the high street this would not be a
problem.
o
Drivers were told that this market would only happen one day a week.
o
Please do not use the taxi rank area on any more days for the market.
Despite what you may think, the elderly and many disabled residents
rely on the local taxi service to move around this town and get to the
shops.
o
The designated taxi drop off and pick up areas are not an appropriate
replacement. We have the added danger of doors having to be opened
onto live traffic. That is if a taxi can get into these areas. Taxi drivers
are “fighting” a constant battle with members of the public who continue
to use these areas for private cars. When it is made known to them that
on Wednesdays the use of these areas is for taxis only and are asked
to move on more often than not we receive abusive replies.
Concerns from local shop:
o
Since the introduction of the market I have had terrible problems with
shoplifting on a Wednesday so much so that I have to patrol the front of
my store during these periods, I have on several occasions had to call
police for assistance.
o
We have a few stalls in the market selling ourproducts or linked
products. Whilst I feel it is healthy to have competition I feel a sweet
stall directly outside my store of detriment to us.
o
On numerous occasions rubbish has been left out by the stall holders
and general public bins being over filled which is obviously not a great
advert for our high street that we all wish to promote.
o
Increasing the days of the market I believe would be of detriment firstly
to my own store and the high street with traffic issues especially on a
Saturday making this area not viable for shopping. I feel very strongly
about this and would be happier for it to remain one day a week as I
cannot police my store all these days.
o
Maybe more time and effort could be put into filling our vacant shops to
help promote Rayleigh as the place to shop.
General:
o
I think Wednesdays work well as a novelty once a week. As the old
saying goes sometimes less is more.
o
It causes problems for taxies and local traders and from speaking to
people some older residents avoid going out Wednesday as it’s just too
crowded for them.

Any thoughts?

You can download the officers report here.

Legal note: Ron and Bruce are members of the Town Council. Chris will, as legally required, not make his mind up in advance of any committee meeting.

May 6th, 2013 | Category: Planning Applications, Rayleigh, Retail | Comments (5)