PLANS to demolish a long-standing industrial estate and replace it with 77 new homes and a “high quality” business park have officially been unveiled.
Developer Govey Homes is aiming to demolish the Foundry industrial estate, off Station Approach, in Hockley, and build new homes “aimed at younger buyers trying to get on the housing ladder”.
As part of the plans, the developer has confirmed that “some businesses” will be able to remain on the site however there will not be space for all of them.
It has said it will work with other businesses to “find appropriate new premises in the area”.
Tony Drewitt, owner of Holt Motor Services, which has been on the site for eight years, said: “I’m a little worried about it because I don’t know what’s going to happen to my business.
“I understand a need for more housing but if we move, how are the costs going to work to turn the new space into a workshop?
“I hope these questions can be answered at Wednesday’s consultation.”
It comes after the Essex-based developer purchased the site last year.
A public consultation event is being at Kilnfield House, at the industrial estate, today from 3pm to 8pm.
Simon Harris, Hockley resident and Man Behaving Dadly blogger, said: “There’s nothing wrong increasing housing because it’s so desperately needed across society.
“However, it needs to be affordable.
“It’s positive there’s engagement from the developer with the community at this stage, and that needs to be permanent to keep people interested.”
The site is occupied by buildings of different ages, with some vacant and others being operated by independent businesses.
A new building to be placed in the western end of the site will contain 50 homes, as well as providing more than 1,900sqm of commercial floor space.
In total, 30 per cent of this space will be allocated to operators already on the site, but the developer will be working with these to identify where accommodation can be provided.
If not, it will find them appropriate new premises in the area.
One disused building, located to the left of the entrance, will be converted into 13 apartments, some of which would be affordable.
Kilnfield House, which once housed the Academies Enterprise Trust, will be turned and extended into 14 apartments.
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