I promised that the Council would carry out a public engagement process regarding the Asset Delivery Programme and this is of course what took place. Additionally I said that the feedback received would be published transparently for all to see and this too has been fulfilled. Not only have these promises been upheld but the Council also followed through with a period of reflection to consider this feedback.

I am pleased to inform you that the planning application for Numbers 3-15 South Street, the Council’s existing office buildings, has now been submitted as part of the Council’s Asset Delivery Programme. This gives the opportunity for a further period of public consultation as part of the planning process before the Development Committee makes a formal decision about this site.

The Voyage Partnership website has been updated with a simple guide setting out the changes that we have made to the designs for 3-15 South Street as a direct result of the public feedback received.

The scheme proposes to bring forward twenty high quality, environmentally sustainable homes in the heart of Rochford town, with parking, amenity space and landscaping. The scheme includes a new modern all-electric energy solution and solar panels have been added to the roofs of the buildings to the rear of the site. The full planning applications for 3-15 South Street can be found here: 21/01241/FUL & 21/01242/LBC.

The regeneration of No 19 South Street is also progressing. The site already has planning permission but our partner gbpartnerships has submitted an application for minor works to enhance the design and functionality of the proposed refurbishment and change of use to residential dwellings.

It is vital to allow the time for all views to be heard so that these can be considered and reflected in the designs where possible. And I would encourage further public contribution to the planning consultation process.

The other sites within the Asset Delivery Programme have been subject to the same period of reflection and changes are being made as a result of this process. I look forward to sharing how these schemes have positively changed as a result of the feedback and this will be available on the Voyage website once the planning applications have been submitted in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, it is important to remember that as part of the planning application, there will be a further period of public consultation. The proposals for the Mill Arts & Events Centre site in Rayleigh are, of course, the subject of a report to be considered at a meeting of the Council on 2 December.