Utilities, Health & Social Services
Education
 
10.37 Essex County Council have proposed to erect a new primary school on part of the Park School site, but no need is foreseen for other new sites during the plan period.
However, Policies HP5 and HP21 will permit the Council to ensure that when development takes place, if necessary, appropriate contributions are made towards new education provision. The LPA will provide a Supplementary Planning Document on planning obligations and related benefits, prepared with public consultation and adopted for the purpose. The redevelopment of the Park School site for a mixed use development incorporating a new primary school, means that
Rawreth Primary School may become redundant at some stage. The current school lies in the Metropolitan Green Belt where there would be restrictions on the types of use and development that may be appropriate.

10.38 The most appropriate use for the school would be continued educational use.
Following this type of use, some form of community use would be the preferred option. The redevelopment of the site for residential purposes is regarded as a last resort, only to be explored once all other options have been investigated, given the green belt location of the site.

10.39 The expansion of existing schools is likely as housing numbers increase. As development proposals come forward, the local planning authority will seek that where classrooms are to be provided, they are permanent. The local planning authority will also seek the replacement of temporary classrooms - many of which provide poor quality learning environments - with permanent facilities, by the
imposition of appropriate conditions.

Libraries

10.40 No new static service points are proposed, but the expansion of the well-sited Rochford Market Square Library into larger premises will be necessary. This should take place in the supermarket or other appropriate nearby redevelopment scheme.
It will be required during the plan period, in view of the population in the substantial catchment area.

10.41 The library in the High Street, Great Wakering is inadequate for the existing catchment area population, and a new site for a library of about 200m² will need to be found to serve this small community more effectively.

Places Of Worship And Other Community Buildings

10.42 The selection of sites for these purposes will normally be a matter for the proponents of the schemes and applications for such proposals will be judged against material considerations. These forms of development will not normally be considered appropriate in the Green Belt.