3 Applications In Rayleigh High Street Are All Passed

September

20

3 comments

3 planning applications in Rayleigh High Street were all passed at last week’s Development Committee – but only after a lot of discussion.

 

sep high st1

This was the rather surprising application which would allow the landlord (at the end of the current leases) to convert the estate agent and “New Look” into a bigger retail unit and allow the use of Santander Bank as a cafe or restaurant. Many councillors felt that having a bank there added more vitality to the High Street than yet another eating place however there were no strong policies to base a refusal on, so it was passed.

This doesn’t mean that Santander will be replaced by a restaurant, it just allows the possibility.

sep high st2

This was an application to allow the old art shop at the entrance of Berry’s Arcade to become a financial or profession premises. There was more discussion here , with Cllrs Jack Lawmon and Chris Black arguing that the application should be refused. Council planning policy here is to have a target of 50% retail use in this part of the town centre but the figure was already down to 48%. However the scheme was passed by 12 votes to 10.

sep high st3

This was an application for the new Pizza Express to have outside tables. This was quite controversial, partly because Rayleigh Town Council were concerned about making the pavement too narrow. However it was given a temporary 3 year permission, with a condition that the tables and seating have to be removed on market days.

About the author, admin

  • can you publish which councillors voted for and against? I read in the echo that 2 councillors voted against Santander becoming a restaurant. who were they? it says 12 voted for. 2 against. Does that mean that only 14 councillors bothered to turn up, or did some abstain?

  • James, I didn’t take notes on how people voted, this is only recorded when enough councillors stand and request a recorded vote (when a roll-call is taken ) . Though an individual councillor can always ask for their own vote to be recorded.

    There were twenty -something councillors present, a lot abstained because they didn’t think the application was a good idea, but couldn’t see a good planning reason for refusal.

  • “This was an application to allow the old art shop at the entrance of Berry’s Arcade to become a financial or profession premises. There was more discussion here , with Cllrs Jack Lawmon and Chris Black arguing that the application should be refused. Council planning policy here is to have a target of 50% retail use in this part of the town centre but the figure was already down to 48%. However the scheme was passed by 12 votes to 10.”

    This is a sad demise of retail in the high st – soon there will be no retail – RDC do not have a handle on keeping retail in the high st. Still persist in charging for parking which is proven to put people off shopping in high st’s and why on earth do we need what is basically an office in a high st location? Not like this business is going to have walk ins. Another stupid decision, planning in RDC needs a serious overhaul and someone in charge who knows what they are doing.

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