New factory and offices plan 'will create £30m boost' to Essex economy

Plans for a mini industrial estate, including a new factory and office space, in south Essex, touted to boost the local economy by almost £29 million, are set to be given the green light. The proposals for land south of Sandy Crescent and Star Lane in Great Wakering are expected to create more than 400 jobs in the construction and operation phases of the business units, as well as supply chain roles.

Rochford Council’s development committee will discuss the plans during a meeting on November 28. Lucton Educational Management Solutions' plans include up to 206 parking spaces for workers at the site. The officer's report ahead of the meeting states that additional information by the applicant shows that during the construction phase of the development, there would be 155 direct construction jobs and 89 indirect jobs per month over 18 months, generating £ 14 million for the economy.

During the operational phase of the business units, it is expected there would be 180 full-time jobs on-site, producing £10.5million for the economy annually, of these there would be 163 jobs for the Rochford area, which would create £9.2million for the economy. It’s also said the supply chain would benefit from 92 indirect jobs supporting the local economy, contributing £5 million annually.

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The plans received 62 objections from angry neighbours who raised a range of concerns, including highways and infrastructure issues, environmental issues, and impacts on homes and residential areas. The council officer's report states that the firm behind the plans submitted additional information. The report reads: “The statement further sets out the shortfall of office and light industrial space as demonstrated in the council’s economic development needs assessment, which goes on to state that flexible allocations for these uses could help meet these shortfalls, ensuring that the council can be responsive to future market needs, particularly for smaller, flexible business units.

“Evidence such as the south Essex grow-on space study in 2020 indicates a historic undersupply in both south Essex and Rochford of good quality ‘grow-on’ stage business accommodation of 150 to 500 square metres in size for both office and industrial uses. Smaller, better quality ‘start-up’ business space is anecdotally understood to also be in short supply.

“The council’s own evidence confirms a demand for flexible employment space, and the proposed development will deliver significant economic benefits to the local area, including job creation and increased gross value added.”