Land being earmarked for employment uses in Chelmsford borough looks set to be as contentious as that being suggested for thousands more homes.

As the borough goes through the processes of producing a new local plan, councillors are facing a shortfall of 45.87 hectares (about 110 acres) of industrial sites.

Last week's packed meeting of the council's development policy board, in addition to dealing with the tricky problem of deciding suggested locations for new mini-towns, had to indicate preferences for employment land.

Sites which will now have to be considered by the full council are the Temple Wood/Temple Farm area of West Hanningfield; land north of South Woodham Ferrers; and the Mid-Essex Gravel Pits site at Essex Regiment Way, Broomfield.

On the West Hanningfield site, councillors were advised that it had an established industrial character, but of an ad hoc nature. About 10.35 hectares (25 acres) could offer significant scope for existing and future users.

A report added that there was good road access because of the site's closeness to the B1007 junction with the A12. The junction of Bakers Lane and Stock Road could be upgraded to allow for a higher volume of heavy goods vehicles.

At South Woodham Ferrers, an allocation of a further 10 hectares to the east of the land being suggested for housing, directly adjoining the A132, is also being put forward.

The third major site suggested is the Essex Regiment Way, Broomfield, site, which councillors were told is brownfield and its redevelopment for employment purposes would be an option for reducing greenfield requirements.

Councillor Maurice Hurrell said that the proposals affecting Temple Farm would be unacceptable to the residents of Stock.

And Cllr Alan Dixon asked: "What message are we sending out? I think we need to tread with a cautious step. Access is not going to be very good. This is a Green Belt site. I am nervous about this."

Of the South Woodham Ferrers site, he said: "It is very prominent from all directions. We should think very carefully before including that. I believe we should look at existing industrial sites to see if any of them are vacant."

Cllr Ian Roberts shared some of the concerns about the industrial area being proposed for the new town. He said: "It is a particularly sensitive area when you are arriving from Maldon."

Local plans manager Derek Stebbing said: "The land at South Woodham indicated for industry and warehousing is on sloping land, but we do have experience in developing these sites."

By Kathleen Corby

Reporter's e-mail: kathleen.corby@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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