• Written Statement – Contents
• Proposals Maps
• Copyright Notice
• Local Plan Help

Chapter 3 Strengthening the Economy and Promoting Regeneration

Aim: To foster a dynamic economy in the District, encouraging investment in new employment and enterprise opportunities.

Community Strategy

3.1 The Council’s Community Strategy for improving the quality of life, aims to provide secure employment, by helping the District to compete in the global economy. This requires supporting proposals which stimulate social and economic regeneration in Clacton, Harwich and Walton in particular, where high levels of unemployment and social deprivation exist.

3.2 Chapter 1 sets out the Plan’s related aims to achieve the Community Strategy’s vision and includes:

• providing an ongoing supply of employment land and a positive policy framework to meet the needs of the local workforce, local business and encourage inward investment;

• promoting the development of facilities at Harwich International Port and support the Haven Gateway initiative;

• promoting tourist opportunities and assets in the District; and

• keeping the District’s town and local centres vibrant places in which to live, work and spend leisure time.

3.3 The policies and proposals in this Chapter are intended to achieve these aims of the Community Strategy as set out in Chapter 1, and include measures to provide for and promote development related to all types of economic activity covering employment generation, tourism and retailing.

Economic Development and Regeneration

3.4 Economic development has a vital role to play in the future prosperity, development and regeneration of the District. This section deals with the overall supply of land and buildings for employment generating development, and proposals for business and industry, employment uses in rural areas and small firms.

3.5 Policies within this section primarily deal with all types of employment use within Classes B1 [(b) and (c)], B2 and B8 of the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended). Land allocated for development within these uses is referred to as employment land. Figures used to calculate the employment land supply and allocated sites are gross figures which include areas required for buildings falling within Class B uses, car parking, access roads and structural landscaping/open spaces. This is consistent with the general approach set out in the Replacement Structure Plan. In addition, reference is made to port related development which is likely to have a significant impact on related land use policies in the Plan. Planning policies concerning retailing, financial and professional services, food and drink uses (Classes A1 to A3A5) and tourism are set out separately in the respective sections later on in this Chapter.

National Context

3.6 Relevant Government guidance is set out in PPG4: Industrial, and Commercial Development and Small Firms, PPS6: Planning for Town Centres,PPG7 The Countryside — Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development PPS7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas and PPG12 Development Plans PPS12: Local Development Frameworks.

3.7 PPG4 emphasises the importance of having a positive approach towards development proposals that contribute to national and local economic activity. The guidance recognises that it may not be appropriate to separate industry and commerce especially small scale developments from residential communities for whom they are a source of employment and valuable services. However, the guidance also states that development plans must prevent potential land use conflicts between incompatible uses.

3.8 PPG7 provides guidance for rural areas and states that a range of businesses can be successfully accommodated within rural areas. The guidance also says that provision for employment development should be made in new premises well related to settlements as well as through conversions of redundant buildings. PPG7 is also supplemented by the Rural White Paper published in 2000, which promotes greater diversification and employment based uses within rural areas.

3.9 PPG12 refers to sustainable development and reference is made to a need to maintain high and stable levels of economic growth and employment. The guidance also states that it is necessary to consider the interaction of policies within the Plan including the environmental and social implications of policies designed to encourage economic growth.

Regional Context

3.10 Regional guidance set out in RPG9 sets out key development principles which seek to retain urban areas as the main focus for development and encourage a less dispersed pattern of development. RPG9 will be replaced by Regional Spatial Strategy 14 (RSS14), the “East of England Plan” which is expected to be adopted in 2006.

3.11 RPG9 The guidance refers to “Priority Areas for Economic Regeneration” (PAER) and explains that these areas are pockets of deprivation within the Region defined by a number of criteria including above average unemployment rates, high levels of social deprivation, low skill levels, dependency on declining industries, derelict urban fabric, peripherality and insularity. Parts of the Tendring coast including Clacton, Walton and Harwich are within the designated PAER. The designation of PAER signals to regional partners including regional development agencies that the needs of the areas should be given high priority.

3.12 The Eemerging regional guidance spatial strategy for the East of England (RPGSS14) currently being prepared also reflects the important objective of securing economic regeneration within the PAER. The emerging guidance also refers to “gateways” as sub-regions which are significant due to their transport links and economic growth and regeneration potential.

3.13 The Haven Gateway area includes Tendring District and the main ports of Harwich, Felixstowe and Ipswich. The guidance describes the Haven Gateway, as having significant potential for economic growth, based on opportunities for high technology and knowledge based activities associated with its ports and links with the Cambridge sub-region. These opportunities could play an important part in the continued economic regeneration of the Harwich and Clacton areas.

Replacement Structure Plan

3.14 The Replacement Structure Plan deals with the period up to 2011 in respect of the provision for employment land across the County and includes an 80 hectare allocation for Tendring District. This figure includes the allocation of land associated with Bathside Bay. Policy CS3 encourages economic success and states that priority will be given to economic regeneration and renewal within the designated PAER. It also designated part of the eastern side of the District as a Rural Development Area (RDA) where priority is given to the needs of the rural economy. Whilst this designation, more recently referred to as a Rural Priority Area (RPA), has since been discontinued, the underlying problems remain.

Economic Development Spatial Strategy

3.15 Between 2001 and 2003, the Council commissioned a number of studies carried out by consultants to review existing employment land and sites and to identify additional sites to make up the land supply. It was recommended that the majority of current land and sites should be carried forward into the Replacement Local Plan and protected for employment development purposes. A further study has subsequently been undertaken in 2005 to test the earlier work and assess and advise on the responses received to the publication of the draft Local Plan in May 2004.

3.16 The studies concluded that overall, sites for approximately 80 hectares of employment land should be identified in the Plan to meet future needs up to 2011. In addition to which the loss of 20 hectares of existing general employment land to port related development at Bathside Bay means that there is a need to replace this losswithin the A120 corridor within the district. This brings the headline employment land allocation to around 100 hectares. This total reflects a more up to date estimate for the Plan Period compared with the Structure Plan’s earlier employment land provision estimate of 80 hectares. The consultants’ recommended strategy identified a range of sites in locations which would contribute to bringing about economic regeneration and development by:

• attracting inward investment;

• allowing for existing firms to grow; and

• allowing for new start up firms to develop.

3.17 A total of approximately 101 hectares of employment land has been allocated for the district within the plan period. The Consultants recommended in their studies that The strategy recommended concentrating large scale employment development should be concentrated on the edge of the main towns including Clacton and within a corridor of growth following the A120 Trunk Road on the edge of Harwich in addition to further provision at other towns and larger villages across the District. The number of additional jobs created by developing these sites is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000. The main thrust of this economic development spatial strategy has been included within the Plan. This approach is consistent with Structure Plan policies BIW1 and BIW3 which seek to achieve sustainable forms of development by concentrating economic development within and close to the PAER and urban areas.

3.18 Policy QL4 refers to the provision of an adequate supply of employment land to support the economic development strategy aimed at promoting growth and achieving economic regeneration particularly within the PAER and former RPA.

Strategic Employment Areas

3.19 The Improving the Quality of Life Chapter refers to strategic development opportunities which could produce significant economic growth and regeneration. These opportunities are directly linked with supporting the proposed expansion of Harwich International Port at Bathside Bay and further employment generating development in the Tendring part of the Haven Gateway Sub- Region. Policy QL5 therefore, allocates 122 hectares of land at Bathside Bay for a container port and related development, and 27 hectares of land off the A120 at Dovercourt (East of Pond Hall Farm), and 27 hectares west of the A133 at Frating.

New Employment Sites

3.20 In support of the strategy of promoting employment development at larger towns and in the A120 corridor and within other built up areas, the Plan makes provision for a number of new employment sites across the District. These sites are well located in relation to existing urban areas and the transport network and are consistent with the Replacement Structure Plan’s sequential approach to site selection set out in Policy BIW3. Some of the sites may be developed in phases throughout the Plan Period and require the necessary provision of significant infrastructure including vehicular access, public transport facilities and structural landscaping as part of each development scheme. The Council will consider the need for appropriate enabling development to help fund the necessary infrastructure where this appears to be warranted.

3.21 The larger sites have an area in excess of 5 hectares, whereas the smaller sites vary between less than a hectare up to 5 hectares. To help achieve a satisfactory form of development, planning briefs will need to be prepared for each of the sites above 5 hectares in area.

Note:

*tThe above sites are identified on the Proposals Map and Inset Maps.

* The land South of the A120, South of the former Iconfield Site, Dovercourt has received planning permission for residential development. However, if current residential consent is not implemented this site is considered as a preferred employment site. Residential consent will not be reviewed on this site.

3.22 The above sites, when combined with the strategic sites the land, East of Pond Hall Farm in Dovercourt (27 hectares) and at land south of the A120 and east of the A133 Frating (27 hectares) cumulatively contribute to a total provision of approximately 1013 hectares. This is above the 80 hectare Replacement Structure Plan target for Tendring District but reflects the loss of 20 hectares of general employment land lost to port related development at Bathside Bay. Further smaller employment sites not identified in Policy ER1 are also likely to come forward during the Plan Period including sites in the rural area which will increase the overall employment land supply further.

Protecting Existing Employment Areas

3.23 To maintain the widest economic base possible and a suitable range of sites to meet varying employment development needs, land allocated and reserved for employment use will normally be retained for this purpose.

3.24 The principal existing business and employment areas within Tendring are listed below.

Principal Business and Industrial Areas

• Europa Way, Parkeston

• Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, Clacton-on-Sea

• Oakwood and Crusader Business Park, Clacton-on-Sea

• Oxford Road, Clacton-on-Sea

• Ford Road, Clacton-on-Sea

• Valleybridge Road, Clacton-on-Sea

• Morses Lane Industrial Estate, Brightlingsea

• Lawford Dale Industrial Estate, Lawford

• Kirby Cross Trading Estate, Kirby Cross

• Great Bentley Industrial Estate, Great Bentley

Retention of Employment Sites

3.25 The District Council considers that in an area under pressure for residential development and where appropriate new employment sites in villages and towns are hard to find, there is a general rule, a pressing need to protect existing employment sites and premises.

3.26 The protection of employment land, sites and premises through the implementation of Policy ER3 forms an important part of the Plan’s economic and sustainable development strategy. In order to assist with economic regeneration objectives and to maintain a balance between the location of jobs and homes within different parts of the District the retention of employment land, sites and premises is seen as vital. The importance of safeguarding employment land is also specifically recognised in the Replacement Structure Plan (BIW4).

3.27a Many proposals for re-using or redeveloping employment sites and premises come forward for determination. In such instances, in order to demonstrate that other forms of employment use have been fully explored, documentary evidence will be required to demonstrate that a proper and sustained marketing campaign, at current market value, for either continued or alternative employment purposes has been undertaken. Important factors in evaluating the appropriateness of such a campaign will be the length of time it has been pursued and the prevailing market conditions. Examination of documentation of enquiries and responses will be expected.

3.27b The marketing campaign will have to be agreed between the determining authority and applicant(s) before it begins. This will include the following:

• length of campaign;

• asking price;

• sales particulars; and

• number, frequency and source of advertisements.

3.27c In agreeing the asking price, an independent valuation may be required, that the applicant will normally be expected to fund. The District Council will apply Policy ER3 to all proposals affecting land, sites or premises in, formerly in, or allocated for employment use. This will be supported by Supplementary Planning Guidance to help people with their planning applications. Guidance to help people with their planning applications is included in Appendix 3a. Proposals will be expected to keep to this guidance. If the District Council grants planning permission that results in a loss of employment land or premises, it will seek a payment or alternative suitable employment land elsewhere in the district from the applicant to compensate for the loss of employment opportunities. This money will be spent on improving employment prospectsused to improve employment and/or training prospects key regeneration initiatives in the District. The basis for calculating the payments is will be set out in the Supplementary Planning Guidance, which will be updated annuallyAppendix 13a. Such a payment might not be sought if the applicant intends to relocate an existing employment use within the District to provide for its expansion.

3.28 The Council will monitor the overall level of employment land to ensure a suitable land supply is maintained, consistent with either Structure Plan Policy BIW2, or the prevailing Regional Spatial Strategy requirements.

Other Uses in Employment Areas

3.29 The principal business and industrial areas are predominantly reserved for uses within Classes B1, B2 and B8. The Plan also makes adequate provision for new retail development including retail warehousing as set out in the Shopping and Town Centres section below. Therefore, Rretailing is not encouraged on employment land. However, it is recognised that the operational needs of some firms has changed and some small scale ancillary retailing at the front of workshops selling specialist bulky non-food goods manufactured on the premises (for example domestic fireplaces and kitchen units) may be acceptable within employment areas.

3.30 The provision of car showrooms and certain types of indoor leisure uses may also be appropriate within the larger employment areas within built up areas subject to the application of a sequential site assessment exercise referred to in Policies ER31 and ER32 in the Shopping and Town and Other Retail Centres section of this Chapter. For the purposes of Policy ER4 the larger employment areas include all the existing Principal Business and Employment Areas referred to in paragraph 3.24 and allocated employment sites with a site area in excess of 5 hectares. The size threshold has been set to allow for an appropriate mix of uses on the larger sites which are able to sustain such a variety and to exclude smaller areas which may otherwise run the risk of being totally lost to non employment uses.

Transport Uses

3.31 The District has experienced a particular problem arising from a large number of haulage firms established in rural areas. A number of these firms occupy sites with established use rights in villages or occupy agricultural buildings in open countryside close to main roads. Experience has shown that road transport firms based in the District present particular environmental problems because of the intensity of activity, the number of traffic movements, anti-social hours of operation including weekend working and the size of vehicles involved. Some sites are particularly prominent in the landscape and have little screening to hide vehicles and plant.

3.32 Whilst recognising the economic importance of the transport sector to the local economy, the Council considers that large scale uses of this kind are inappropriate in many rural locations and will consequently encourage the relocation of these of businesses of this kind, particularly in villages, to more environmentally acceptable sites provided and planned in urban areas. Since pressure for this type of use is likely to increase as expansion plans at Harwich Port are implemented, the Plan makes provision for this type of use within the large employment land allocations close to the main road network and seeks to discourage the development of unsuitable sites in rural areas.

3.33 Therefore, all large scale operations of this kind should be located close to urban areas close to the main highway network and must not be detrimental to nearby residential amenity. However, to assist the diversification of the rural economy, in appropriate circumstances, the change of use of redundant agricultural buildings to small scale depot uses containing one or two vehicles may be permitted providing proposals can be satisfactorily screened and contained in terms of visual impact on the countryside, residential amenity and adequate vehicular access.

Business, Light Industrial and Service Uses in Mixed Land Use Areas

3.34 The District’s built up areas contain a number of long established light industrial, commercial, office or similar service uses. Changes of use on such sites can provide valuable additional facilities for the local population or help new business start-ups. Such uses, which fall within Class B1 (i.e. would not be detrimental to residential amenity in terms of the generation of noise, smell, fumes or other forms of disturbance) will be encouraged. Further guidance on mixed-use development is set out in Policy QL8.

Business, Industrial and Warehousing Proposals

3.35 In considering planning applications for the use of land or buildings for business, industrial or warehouse uses falling within Class B1, B2 and B8 uses, a number of design, layout and other technical requirements will need to be met as set out in Policy ER7 below.

Extensions to Industrial Buildings

3.35a The Council wishes to support the growth of existing firms and will grant permission for extensions to established business and industrial premises in built up areas or villages and exceptionally in rural locations providing they have an acceptable impact on visual and residential amenity, rural amenity and transportation considerations.

3.35b It is recognised that withholding planning permission can seriously affect the growth and development of firms, which is not in the wider economic regeneration interests of the District. However, sometimes businesses outgrow their sites and need to be encouraged to relocate to more appropriate and spacious premises. Therefore, in examining proposals to extend employment premises the longer term suitability and viability of the site in question will be considered.

3.35c In rural locations, the visual impact on the landscape character of the countryside will be an important additional consideration. However, planning permission for extensions to existing firms in rural areas may exceptionally be permitted if proposals would result in the creation of a number of new jobs and if satisfactory screening and landscaping can be achieved to minimise the impact of the development on the countryside.

Extensions to Industrial Buildings

3.36 The Council wishes to support the growth of existing firms and will grant permission for extensions to established business and industrial premises in built up areas or villages and exceptionally in rural locations providing they have an acceptable impact on visual and residential amenity, rural amenity and transportation considerations.

3.37 It is recognised that withholding planning permission can seriously affect the growth and development of firms, which is not in the wider economic regeneration interests of the District. However, sometimes businesses outgrow their sites and need to be encouraged to locate to more appropriate and spacious premises. Therefore, in examining proposals to extend employment premises the longer term suitability and viability of particular employment sites will be considered.

3.38 In rural locations, the visual impact on the landscape character of the countryside will be an important additional consideration. However, planning permission for extensions to existing firms in rural areas may exceptionally be permitted if proposals would result in the creation of a number of new jobs and if satisfactory screening and landscaping can be achieved to minimise the impact of the development on the countryside.

Offices

3.39 New large-scale offices falling within Use Class B1 in excess of 1,000 sqm (1,100 sq. ft) may be accommodated within the existing Principal Business and Industrial Areas and proposed employment areas at Harwich, on the edge of Clacton and within central Clacton. Other smaller scale office uses of less than 1,000 sqm may additionally be accommodated at suitable locations within towns and villages to cater for local service needs.

Rural Areas and Villages

Small Scale Employment Sites in Villages

3.40 To help stimulate and diversify the changing rural economy, the retentionlocation of employment opportunities in villages is supported by PPS7encouraged by the Rural White Paper. Many small scale office and industrial employment activities can be accommodated in small communities, which can provide much needed local employment opportunity and help to retain the working population. Sites must be properly located to avoid causing traffic problems, noise and disturbance tofor local residents and harm to village character. In determining small scale employment sites in villages the criteria specified in policy ER7 will apply.

Re-Use or Conversion of Rural Buildings

3.41 In the interest of encouraging a lively and viable rural economy PPS7 the Government’s Rural White Paper encourages the diversification of declining farms and agricultural land holdings. One initiative is the appropriate re-use or conversion of rural buildings for employment purposes. In addition to conversions for industrial uses, some rural buildings may be suitable for recreational/tourism purposes. The Council supports this approach to employment generation, providing proposals meet the requirements of the Plan’s other policies.

3.42 Enterprises that would generate unacceptably large volumes of traffic, or would detrimentally affect the external appearance of buildings and surroundings will be encouraged to locate in more appropriate locations consistent with the scale and nature of the intended use. In addition, activities which require external plant or which make excessive demands for open storage will not be permitted in rural areas outside of the allocated employment areas. In all cases the potential impact on the amenity of local residents will be an important consideration.

Industrial Pollution and Hazardous Use Sites

3.43 Certain sites and pipelines are designated as notifiable installations by virtue of the quantities of hazardous substances stored or used. The siting of such installations will be controlled with the aim of achieving adequate separation from housing and other likely incompatible land uses from a safety point of view. The Council will seek the advice of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the suitability of development in relation to the risks that the notifiable installation might pose to the surrounding area.

3.44 The Plan area already contains a number of installations handling notifiable substances, including high pressure natural gas transmission pipelines. Whilst they are subject to stringent controls under existing health and safety legislation, it is considered prudent to control the type of development permitted in the vicinity of these installations. In determining whether or not to grant consent for a proposed development within the consultation distances account will be taken of the advice received from the HSE concerning the risk to the proposed development from the notifiable installation.

3.45 Whilst the Council will exceptionally allow appropriate industrial uses in rural locations on suitable sites, subject to consultation with the relevant statutory bodies, it is recognised that control must still be exercised over existing uses which cause various forms of pollution. Such pollution invariably gives rise to conflicts with nearby residents. Therefore, the Council will in association with the Environment Agency seek to control levels of pollution through its planning and public health powers.

Employment Use in Residential Areas Business Activities in the Home

3.46 The Council supports the encouragement of small businesses including initiatives to work from home providing potential problems in residential areas from commercial activities are avoided. Planning permission is normally required for the change of use of all or part of a house to commercial purposes depending on the specific facts involved in individual cases.

3.47 Proposals for employment development in homes will each be considered on their merits and particular regard will be given to the effect of proposals on residential amenity. The dwelling should be able to continue to provide suitable housing accommodation and the character and amenity of the surrounding area should not be impaired by the business activities. Permission will not be granted for proposals which would for example result in excessive outside storage, physical alterations to the house or a noticeable level of commercial traffic.

3.48 Where there are special circumstances relating to the applicant, a limited permission may exceptionally be given for the benefit of the applicant only.

Small Businesses

3.49 Small businesses are an important part of the local economy. The Council provides a wide range of business support services and initiatives aimed at assisting local enterprises of this kind. These measures are outlined in Community and Economic Development Strategies and the Council works in partnership with other organisations including EEDA, the County Council and Essex Enterprise Agency Business Link. To encourage further business enterprise including new start- up firms, the Council will require the provision of accommodation suitable for occupation by small businesses within sites allocated in the Local Plan under Policies QL5(B) and ER1. In addition, small scale units will also be appropriate on sites in villages acceptable under the terms of Policy ER11, and on sites in areas of mixed land use in accordance with Policy ER6. This support for small business premises is also reflected in Replacement Structure Plan policy BIW6.

Access to Workplaces

3.50 The Council supports social inclusion based upon building cohesive communities throughout the District and seeks to encourage people with disabilities to enter employment. This is consistent with the Disability Discrimination Act which seeks to ensure that all buildings which provide employment are made accessible to all. Further guidance on planning for access is set out in Policy COM1 in the Plan.

Tourism

3.51 The Tendring Community Strategy recognises that leisure and tourism activities make a significant contribution to the prosperity of the local economy. Continued growth in tourism and leisure sectors can stimulate economic activity, investment and create new job opportunities including planned diversification in rural areas. Planning for leisure and tourism has strong economic, environmental and cultural implications and is related to other aspects of the Plan.

3.52 Planning policy can help facilitate the development of tourism by providing for and protecting specific facilities. Policies in this section provide a basis for considering specific proposals directly related to tourism and related leisure development and seek to balance the development needs of the tourist industry with the protection of the environment. Policies in other parts of the Plan also play an important role in supporting the development of tourism by, for example, enhancing the natural and built environment and improving the vitality and viability of town centres.

National Context

3.53 Relevant Government advice contained in PPG21 — Tourism” encourages tourism whilst at the same time conserving those features in the natural and built environment that are a major attraction for tourism itself. The guidance states that tourism makes a major contribution to the national economy and to the prosperity of many cities, towns and rural areas. Its continuing growth generates a range of economic activity and new job opportunities.

Regional Context

3.54 Regional Planning Guidance for the South-East provides general guidance on improving the quality of life in town and country for both residents and visitors. For urban areas the guidance seeks to improve the quality of the environment in order to make them more attractive places in which to live, work and spend leisure time. Within rural areas a more equitable and locally based provision of services including the provision of leisure and cultural facilities is sought. For the Tendring coast area the guidance states that joint working is required to develop complementary strategies through development plans and other strategies which will enable the area to benefit from emerging tourism markets and other economic activities.

Replacement Structure Plan

3.55 The Replacement Structure Plan provides general strategic planning policies on leisure, recreation and tourism development. The Structure Plan states that proposals for large-scale tourism development involving substantial buildings or structures should be located within or adjoining main urban areas and seaside resort towns. Outside built up areas large scale tourist developments may be permitted if they are open in character. Policies also seek to protect existing tourism and leisure facilities which make an important contribution to tourism potential. Within rural areas the Structure Plan seeks to make provision for leisure and tourism development providing the amenity of the countryside is not harmed. Structure Plan policy also safeguards the existing network of public rights of way.

Tendring Tourism Strategy

3.56 The Tendring Tourism Strategy identifies a number of challenges facing tourism in the District and actions to address them. In summary the Strategy seeks to work towards better quality improved accommodation and service provision. It also aims to attract disabled visitors and encourage local spending including retailing. The promotion of walking and cycling and tourism in rural areas is a further key aim. The Strategy also seeks to expand the core areas in resorts with appropriate marketing. Finally, the Strategy recommends the development of resort regeneration plans and the promotion of development sites.

Tendring Tourism Study

3.57 In late 2001 the Council commissioned an independent tourism study prepared by consultants to identify opportunities for tourism within the District and provide guidance on how to approach these issues in the Replacement Local Plan. The Study was published in October 2002 and highlighted that Tendring’s tourism product and future potential falls into the following categories:

• the traditional seaside resort;

• cultural heritage; and

• the countryside including wildlife and conservation.

3.58 The Study identified a number of potential opportunities including extending the visitor season, additional touring caravan and camping parks, sailing holidays; attracting European visitors, especially to Harwich; improving the quality and range of accommodation and facilities including resorts and shopping centres, bird watching, walking and cycling activities and improving heritage attractions. The Study also identified the potential to re-focus tourism to reflect emerging trends.

3.59 The Tourism Study also referred to national trends and drew attention to the continuing trend of the long term decline of traditional seaside resorts. The study recommended that programmes for the continued development and regeneration of the District’s resorts should be pursued including the protection of existing tourism facilities should be protected. The study’s main recommendations relevant to planning policy have been incorporated into the section set out below.

Tourist Development and General Considerations

3.60 As well as traditional seaside holiday resorts, Tendring contains several other tourist attractions. These include high quality scenic rural areas including part of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Suffolk Coast and Heaths coastline, a rich historic cultural heritage including the Harwich Conservation Area and a large number of attractive villages, several shopping centres including Clacton and Frinton town and a factory outlet centre on the edge of the former.

3.61 In recognition of tourism’s importance locally the Council encourages development which will provide new attractions and facilities. Such development proposals will however, need to be judged against the impact they have on the local environment including their traffic implications.

3.62 When promoting the development of new tourist attractions the Council will direct investment to acceptable locations for example, within the resort towns and main settlements as specified in the area policy statements. Considerable weight will be given to the protection of environmentally important areas of countryside and coast when determining applications for such developments. In essence, development proposals should avoid an unacceptable or detrimental impact on these areas which include a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), SPA, Dedham Vale AONB and the proposed extension to the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB.

3.63 The Council will encourage proposals for new or improved tourist attractions which enhance the District’s ability to attract and cater for visitors, increase local employment opportunities and do not conflict with other important economic or environmental objectives set out in the Plan.

3.64 Sensitive and low-key developments which seek to exploit the area’s scenic and wildlife assets will be supported where they fully respect and also lead to the enhancement of those important environmental assets. This approach reflects the recommendations of the Tendring Tourism Study to encourage the — eco-tourism” and wildlife tourism markets in the District.

Tourism for All

3.65 The Council will support the needs of people with disabilities on holiday by ensuring that all facilities and attractions, existing or planned are designed to be accessible to disabled persons, the elderly, those with mobility problems and parents with young children in pushchairs. When planning applications for such developments are submitted the Council will expect to see adequate provision made for such access.

3.66 Further guidance on accessibility can be found in Policy COM1 and in the Council’s SPG on an Accessible and Inclusive Environment, Sport England’s Design Guidance, the Arts Council’s access standards and the standards produced by the Holiday Care Service and the English Tourism Council.

Existing Caravan and Chalet Parks

3.67 Over the last 20 years various caravan and leisure parks including two holiday camps have closed, reflecting the changing market for holidays in this type of accommodation. Some sites have been developed for housing.

3.68 Despite the loss of certain sites there are still approximately 9,000 caravans and chalets in the District with sizeable sites remaining in Clacton/Jaywick, St. Osyth/Point Clear, Little Clacton, Weeley, Walton and Dovercourt which account for 84% of the holiday accommodation used by tourists in the District. The Council recognises that these existing sites are an important element of the local holiday industry and their retention and improvement are generally supported. The redevelopment of these sites for tourism purposes should not be seen as being excluded if redevelopment proposals will have the effect of significantly enhancing and further strengthening tourism in the area. Various site operators have embarked upon new investment programmes recently and these are welcomed as part of an overall upgrading and modernisation of the stock. Further proposals to modernise and introduce new, imaginative layouts, improved landscaping, better quality accommodation and an improved range of on site facilities will be supported in parallel with the policies on the provision of new leisure parks.

3.69 Prime sites are considered to be the larger sites which provide the bulk of the accommodation, contribute to the holiday character of the area and promote Tendring as a tourist destination. These sites also tend to contain higher quality accommodation and are therefore likely to best meet the needs of present and future visitors.

3.70 The main tourist areas comprise Clacton/Jaywick, Walton, St. Osyth/Point Clear and Dovercourt and it is within these locations that it is most important to sustain tourism. In addition, there are also larger sites in the rural areas which will be safeguarded. Sites in attractive locations are likely to be more adaptable to meet the needs of more discerning tourists.

3.71 Sites with a good range of recreational facilities, especially indoor facilities are more likely to prove popular than sites without such facilities. In some cases the recreational facilities are also available to non residents and provide for day visitors and residents. The loss of sites with facilities can therefore have a serious impact on tourism amenity. Sites which are large enough to provide the space and the income to invest in recreation facilities should also be safeguarded.

3.72 Safeguarding upgraded sites is a necessary objective, as they represent significant capital investment, which may not be repeated and offer the best opportunity to cater for current and future tourism potential. Similarly sites which by virtue of their location, character, layout and size offer scope for upgrading or further upgrading will also be safeguarded.

3.73 The protection of a range of holiday accommodation including letting caravans, chalets and owner occupied units is also an important objective for maintaining and enhancing the development of tourism.

3.74 The Council will allow extensions to existing sites where significant improvements can be made to the appearance, layout and amenity of such sites. Within the St. Osyth Beach, Jaywick and Point Clear areas the topography dictates a particular need for all proposals relating to the upgrading of existing caravan and chalet parks, to be accompanied by very extensive and appropriate landscaping schemes which respect local conditions. This will help to improve the appearance of individual sites, and reduce their impact on the flat and exposed nature of the coastal landscape in this area.

< Prev | ^ Top | Next >