NOTES ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY25 NOVEMBER 2014 AT 5.00 P.M. IN THE PARISH COUNCIL OFFICES, CRAFTON GREEN, STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET

PRESENT: District Cllr Alan Dean

Parish Cllrs MaureenCaton, Peter Jones, Geoffrey Sell,John O’Brien

Stansted Business Forum-Peter James

ATTENDING Secretary: Trevor Lloyd

Steve Clarke-Director ,Haven Gateway Partnership

Chris Wade-People & Places

Mr and Mrs H Hagan- Edgar Harman and Co

APOLOGIES: Andrew Blatt & Richard Winsborough- Business Forum

UDC Economic Development Officer -Simon Jackson

Declaration of interests from AD as District Councillor, GS as Trustee of Birchanger Wood

  1. A120 Enterprise Corridor
  • Steve Clark outlined the case for the A120 Enterprise Corridor. He argued that at the moment the A120 is not fit for purpose, especially where it is single-carriageway between Braintree and Marks Tey, and is a constraint on potential Economic Growth.
  • They are organising a Business Rally to generate support for infrastructure improvements. Junction 8 congestion on the M11 was identified as a major local issue.
  • Members expressed their desire to minimise the impact on local residential development pressures but recognised the importance of looking outwards and considering the broader picture.
  • Mr Clark said he was very happy to consult with the Parish Council.
  1. Minutes of the meeting on 28 October 2014 were approved
  1. Matters arising
  • Cllr Jones stressed the need to act on road closure powers in the event of flooding. He felt ECC would be unlikely to be able to put road closures in place quickly enough and the parish needs to be able to act independently
  • Peter James has nearly completed the Lower Street contact list
  • There are still businesses operating without flood insurance.
  1. 14 Cambridge Road Development Opportunity Site
  • AD reported on feedback he had received from Planning Officers at UDC. The key issues that impacted on the rejection of the appeal had been that the proposal squeezed too much onto the site and car parking and access were inadequate.
  • The inspector had suggested residential properties on the east and north of the site would be acceptable
  • Cllr Jones felt that small business units were probably not viable on the site and some kind of residential use was more realistic.
  • The community now have an opportunity to lobby for the gains to car park capacity and access and for off-street deliveries that we would like to see on the site prior to any future planning applications. Provision of additional parking to ease congestion on Cambridge Road and support local businesses should be a priority. Pedestrian access to the Crafton Green car park would be a minimum requirement.
  • The site could potentially be identified for community use with the possibility of meeting the need for a Health Centre if the Lower Street project fails to deliver.
  • Agreed to arrange a meeting with Uttlesford members and officers to pursue options.
  1. Stansted Market Opportunities-

Chris Wade introduced the People and Places Partnership as project managers and provided a detailed timetable for the delivery of the Stansted Market Feasibility Study. Peter James requested sample questionnaires to circulate to Business Forum members and Steve agreed to provide these. The survey work will take place in December and there will be feedback at the January meeting of the group.

  1. Neighbourhood Development Plan
  • Cllr Jones informed the meeting that a Full Council resolution which would then be submitted to UDC would be needed if the Parish Council go ahead with Neighbourhood Plan. Base funding would need to be secured from UDC, Locality and other funding agencies.
  • Designated individuals need to be approached to join the steering group. There are 10 areas that need to be included in the plan and each area would need a leader.
  • UDC will provide some expert support and in addition Daniel Bacon who worked on the Great Dunmow plan is to be approached to advise and help draft the documentation.
  1. Business Forum Issues
  • The Christmas lights will be switched on on 29th November.
  • Members are disappointed with the way the Lower Street Car Park is being managed during the construction project. There is no information available to local businesses about changes to parking arrangements.
  1. Date and time of next meeting: There will be no meeting on 23rd December and the next meeting will be on 27th January 2015 at 5 p.m. unless a meeting needs to be convened before that date.

STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP

  1. Develop plans and actions for the centre of Stansted Mountfitchet to enhance its commercial and
  2. retail vitality
  3. Promote short-term support and encouragement to local businesses that will increase and improve trade in Stansted Mountfitchet
  4. Support the retention of employment land for that purpose and, w here appropriate, its redevelopment to meet today’s needs for employment and local services; for example, land behind Cambridge Road
  5. To work with and lobby other public authorities, such as the local planning authority, in support of
  6. the aims of the group
  7. Give support to the Stansted Mountfitchet Business Forum and amended on 10th July 2014

Agreed at the working group meeting on Wednesday 10 July 2014.