Tendring: Fears business park will have “harmful implications” for long-awaited development scheme ten miles away

Proposals for an industrial park at Horsley Cross off the A120 near Wix are due to be considered by the planning committee at Tendring District Council next Tuesday.

The application puts forward plans for 28,000 square metres of business space, a bus depot and a 30metre-high telecommunications mast.

Planning officers have recommended the committee grant outline planning permission for the development subject to a number of conditions and say the scheme offers sustainable economic development and increased employment.

But the proposals are opposed by promoters of the Harwich Valley Scheme in Dovercourt, locally known as the Pond Hall Farm development, who fear Horsley Cross Park will divert businesses which otherwise would move into their facilities.

The Harwich Valley Scheme, which has been in the pipeline for around eight years, would involve the building of residential, retail and business properties. It is expected the developers - Harding Estates - will submit a planning application in the spring.

In a letter objecting to Horsley Park, consultants acting on behalf of Harding Estates have argued that it is likely to “siphon off” businesses and “delay the occupation of commercial buildings planned for Pond Hall Farm”.

It goes on: “Such an adverse effect must be taken into account in terms of the timing and the return on investment in the Pond Hall Farm site if permission is granted for Horsley Cross.”

However, speaking on behalf of Horsley Cross developers, Croland Ltd, planning consultant Neil McKillen said: “ Our site is a different proposition - it’s a much bigger business park and we are looking to attract inward investment into Tendring from regional and international companies whereas other schemes are more about local businesses.

“You need to question the attractiveness of other schemes if they have been proposed for a decade without having land allocated,” he added.