Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Comment

Representation ID: 19748

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CgMs Consulting

The Preferred Strategy for Overall Spatial Development is to:
(d) "focus new development at Bexhill, giving particular attention to promoting economic regeneration and growth of the Hastings and Bexhill area, including through major mixed use developments; " .

Comments:
Land Securities is firmly committed to economic investment in Bexhill. Notwithstanding the current economic climate, Land Securities continues to receive interest from various retailers who wish to be located in Bexhill. The improved retail provision in the Bexhill area is crucial given the neighbouring centres are all expanding. Ravenside Retail Park can provide large retail units which are very limited in the town centre. The town centre's growth could be focused in providing small to medium sized retail units which are more in keeping with the Conservation Area status of the town.

Comment

Representation ID: 19750

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CgMs Consulting

The strategy direction for Bexhill town centre is "to strengthen the identity of Bexhill and for it to become one of the most attractive places to live on the south coast, attractive to families, the young and elderly alike, within an integrated approach to securing a more prosperous future for the Bexhill and Hastings area". In particular, the Council recognises that Bexhill has suffered in recent years from competition from other centres and, as a consequence, has a relatively weak commercial market.

Comments:
Land Securities is firmly committed to economic investment in Bexhill. Notwithstanding the current economic climate, Land Securities continues to receive interest from various retailers who wish to be located in Bexhill. The improved retail provision in the Bexhill area is crucial given the neighbouring centres are all expanding. Ravenside Retail Park can provide large retail units which are very limited in the town centre. The town centre's growth could be focused in providing small to medium sized retail units which are more in keeping with the Conservation Area status of the town.

Comment

Representation ID: 19751

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CgMs Consulting

Box 10e -Preferred Strategy for Bexhill- For the town centre

The preferred strategy for Bexhill town centre is to strengthen the commercial and 'civic centre' role of the town centre, through provision of additional shopping floorspace of some 2,500sqm convenience goods and 4,OOOsqm comparison goods floorspace, primarily through retail expansion adjacent to the railway.

Comments:
Land Securities is keen to work in partnership with the Council in achieving retail expansion of Ravenside Retail Park in a way which would strengthen the commercial role of Bexhill and limit further leakage of expenditure to neighbouring centres. Thus, Land Securities recommends the following addition to the Core Strategy's retail policy regarding Bexhill town centre:

"Should no site be available for development within Bexhill town centre to accommodate the forecast retail floorspace needs, subject to the sequential test of the PPs6, other existing retail developments that are suitable and/or appropriate should be considered to accommodate the identified retail requirements".

Comment

Representation ID: 19753

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CgMs Consulting

Box 1Ob -Preferred Strategy for Bexhill - For services and community development

The preferred strategy for Bexhill seeks to improve key community infrastructure, including leisure facilities for younger people and support for older people, by building a new multi-purpose leisure centre in the town.

Comments:
Land Securities welcomes the suggested strategy of a new multi-purpose leisure centre in Bexhill town centre. Other leisure facilities in the Borough could be relocated to the new facilities to rationalise and provide centralised facilities to the community.

Comment

Representation ID: 19755

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CgMs Consulting

Box 21 Preferred Strateav for Health. Recreation and Community Facilities

Council's leisure assessment and public consultation undertaken suggests a lack of swimming pools in the District; which rises by 2026. On the other hand, there is current oversupply of indoor bowls of 0.76 rinks; however without any action, there would be a shortfall of 0.17 rinks by 2026.

Comments:
Land Securities supports the relocation of the swimming pool and bowling alley from Ravenside Retail Park to enable the centralisation of leisure facilities in a new multi-purpose leisure centre.

Comment

Representation ID: 19756

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CgMs Consulting

Box 1Od (iv) -The Preferred Strategy for Bexhill -New Station at GIyne Gap

The preferred strategy for Bexhill's accessibility is to develop an integrated transport strategy that maximises accessibility to town, neighbouring centres and Hastings, which include the promotion and reserving of land for a new railway station at Glyne Gap in association with new development and the Countryside Park.

Comments:
Land Securities is committed via a S106 Agreement to the provision of the necessary lands to enable the station to proceed.

Support

Representation ID: 19758

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Land Securities plc

Agent: CgMs Consulting

Box 35a (viii) -The Preferred Strategy for Transport and Accessibility


Land Securities supports the formation of a new railway station at Glyne Gap which would further enhance the accessibility of Ravenside Retail Park.