LAKESIDE shopping centre bosses have expressed their “frustration” at seeing Thurrock Council defer their opinion on the centre’s massive expansion plans.
It seems that the centre has been caught up in the handing over of large scale planning powers from the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (DC) back to Thurrock Council.
The DC folds next month. The council only have the input of a “strategic response” but even that was deferred until next month. A hesitancy that clearly vexed Lakeside.
General manager, Paul Lancaster made a three minute presentation to the committee.
Mr Lancaster said: “Capital Shopping Centres is ready to invest £180m to create 2,600 new jobs by upgrading and extending the shopping centre and are seeking your support. The development will also create another 1100 jobs through the construction phase, as well as indirectly supporting a further 700 jobs in the area.
We have read the officers’ report and I must say we are very disappointed with it. We don’t think it presents a fair or balanced assessment of what we are seeking to do. Nor does it accurately set out what the proposals are that you are being asked to consider tonight.
The report recommends the Development Corporation be advised of a strategic planning policy objection, yet it makes no reference to the huge economic benefits of these proposals. Creating jobs and wealth for our community is at the heart of what your planning policies are seeking to do.
The report states we are delivering very little towards the transformation of the Basin into a town centre.
That is plainly wrong.
We are providing a brand new state of the art bus station to form a new interchange with Chafford Hundred rail station, improving access to public transport for residents and shoppers.
We will deliver a new bus-only link road to the northern end of the lake providing access for the first time around the northern perimeter of the basin. On top of that we will provide funding to subsidise a new hopper bus to serve the whole basin.
We are creating a new public square, building on the success of the Boardwalk by further externalising the centre. We are also providing several new cycle and pedestrian links
We have committed to a significant package of Section 106 benefits which will provide funding for other infrastructure to come forward in the future. This is a really exciting proposal that will start the transformation of the Basin.
We agreed with officers back in October 2010 that the adoption of the Core Strategy would be an appropriate time to submit a planning application. We have since played an active part in the Steering Group led by Cllr Andy Smith.
The good work of the Steering Group will ensure that our proposals will help kick-start the wider regeneration of the basin and send a positive signal out to other investors to do the same. We do not believe that this application is premature, and delaying it would delay the regeneration of the Basin unnecessarily.
Our plans do not stop here. We have further proposals for a new hotel to the southern end of the Lake and an exciting new leisure development next to Boardwalk. All of which is predicated on delivering this extension.
“This development is of great strategic importance to Lakeside. As such, we respectfully ask you to reject the recommendation before you and provide your strategic policy support so we can invest in Lakeside without delay.”
Veteran councillor Gerard Rice made a number of objections to the application.
He said: “I fully support this application but there are a number of concerns. There were promises made back in 1990, that never came to fruition.
“This time we want it all nailed down. There are questions regarding the east facing access onto the A13 and a number of other queries. I am sure we will get there.
Come on TBC stop stalling and make this happen, this will be good for the regeneration of Thurrock and will create jobs for many people in the area, any delays could push the whole project off the map.
Now where are them leisure facilities we were promised all those years ago? Is there a planning application for a night entertainment venue, a few east facing slips on the A13 S106 agreements and a few exciting indoor sports venues. Lakeside make me die, what mugs do they take us for.
c100boyz is bang on, we were given promises of ten pin bowling and ice rinks and suchlike when Lakeside was first proposed and they never materialised. Hows about giving us another reason to go to Lakeside other than shopping?
A bowling alley and an ice rink would be great in Lakeside
Lakeside expansion has great potential for creating jobs. But what is interesting is the accusation that officers are again not telling the truth and their report is not’ fair or balanced’. What is going on? it seems either a case that officers and various parties are up to no good or something is seriously wrong at Thurrock Council. We must get local jobs and this is a huge amount of money to be invested in the local area. Cllr Rice needs to ask why they didn’t nail down those previous commitments he mentions. Isn’t that what these politicians are meant to do?
Councillor Rice this man knows through vast experience that if it’s not done Properly then it will be another 6 months this councillor is for ever trying to tell officers they are their for advice not to make policy who knows this could be the case I don’t think Thurrock council officers or legals follow policy as their has so much publicity regarding sites in the press I think the whole planning department in my opinion should be sacked and put the DC planning team in their place they are inviting new business to invest and create jobs
I forgot to comment on the good work of Cllr Andy Smith for all his hard work with the Core strategy
good work of the Steering Group .But what will ensure the proposals will help kick-start the wider regeneration we need all the business we can get to create work