Homes approved for Eon call centre site (From Echo)
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Homes approved for E.ON call centre site in Rayleigh
1:40pm Tuesday 31st July 2012 in News By Emma Thomas
The site in Rayleigh
COUNCILLORS have given the go-ahead for a new housing estate in Rayleigh .
Rochford District Council has approved plans to build 101 three, four and five-bedroom homes on the former Eon call centre site in London Road.
Developer Bellway Homes’ original application for the site was refused last month. Councillors decided the plan did not offer enough homes for first-time buyers and low-income families and offered no community facilities.
In the revised proposal, more than a third of the homes will be “affordable”. Bellway has also promised £20,000 to pay for new community facilities, and will build a play area.
However, concerns have been raised about the loss of a small community hall to the rear of the site, which was home to the Mount Carmel Children’s Centre, a nursery run by a religious group. Mount Carmel’s Ruth Morgan, told the development committee meeting the nursery had moved to a site in Castle Point last year.
She added: “I note £20,000 is now being put in a pot for future use, but the people exist now. “More than 100 people were displaced by this proposal. We want very much to come back to the area and continue our work in the community.”
Chris Black (Lib Dem, Downhall and Rawreth) said despite the changes, he still felt unable to support the plans.
He explained: “It seems a substantial community use was established there. “I don’t think £20,000 addresses the issue. It’s a day late and a dollar short.”
However, Ed Hanson, Bellway’s agent, said: “The site is a sustainable location, close to schools and a short distance from Rayleigh station. “We have carefully considered the revised application and believe it is highly acceptable.”
Builders have already started demolishing the Eon building and ripping up the car park to make way for the homes.
The call centre was one of the town’s biggest employers until it closed in June 2010, making 600 staff redundant.
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (3)
3:33pm Tue 31 Jul 12
StuckInTraffic says...
Considering an average 3 bedroom Semi Detached house is currently selling for approx £240,000 in Rayleigh, I can't see how these new houses are going to be that affordable.
5:14pm Tue 31 Jul 12
The Cater Wood Creeper says...
Give messrs Ball, Blake, Turner, Buckley et al from Basildon Council a call and show them the way to do it please!
6:18pm Sat 4 Aug 12
smiffy22 says...
If we are going to stand a good chance of achieving regular gridlock in and around Rayleigh we really must get more home built. It will help build up the pollution levels too, so we may one day achieve city status in this respect.
It's what we all want, after all.