Proposed Submission Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document

Object

Representation ID: 5358

Received: 05/03/2015

Respondent: Legal and General Assurance Society Limited (L&G)

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The Jewson site (IP028b/UC029) should be allocated as a development site and the frontage along this site highlighted as an area for improved public realm/pedestrian links. Its allocation [to meet the scale and type of retail and leisure development needed in town centres] would help meet the shortfall in sites against the identified needs. The site was identified as a development site within Opportunity Area G (now F) at Preferred Options stage. L&G understand that the owners indicated that it would not come forward for redevelopment. However, L&G acquired the site in 2009 and the site will now become available.

Object

Representation ID: 5359

Received: 05/03/2015

Respondent: Legal and General Assurance Society Limited (L&G)

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Policy SP7 does not allocate sufficient sites to meet the projected demand for commercial leisure space. The Jewson site (IP028b/UC029) must be considered for town centre use including leisure. The [NPPF] requirement to allocate sufficient sites for leisure development is reinforced by the 2013 DTZ report, which recognises that the centre has a relative lack of leisure and food/drink units. Policy SP7 allocates only one site for leisure development (the former Odeon Cinema, c. 2,500 sq m). This does not meet demand for commercial leisure (A3‐A5 only) up to 2016 (forecast at 2,660-4,000sq m (net)).

Object

Representation ID: 5360

Received: 05/03/2015

Respondent: Legal and General Assurance Society Limited (L&G)

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The DTZ report provides insufficient evidence to justify the reduction in new retail floorspace. The 2010 retail capacity study should be updated now to inform policy. Policy is not positively prepared and could sterilise Ipswich town centre for medium to large scale retail development for 11 years, having serious implications on the vitality and viability of the centre. The Jewson site must be considered for town centre use including retail.