Representation by Phantom Tinting (Phantom Tinting)
- Date submitted
- 22 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am a Director of Phantom Tinting. We occupy Unit 9 Swanscombe Business Centre, DA10 0LH under a leasehold interest. Our property is within the boundary of the London Resort Development Consent Order. If development consent is granted, our property will be subject to compulsory acquisition. Our business specialises in window film application but also offer various other automotive related services. We need to remain within the Ebbsfleet and Gravesend area in order to retain our customers. We are concerned that finding a suitable and affordable replacement property will be extremely difficult. The trend over the last five years or so, of the compulsorily acquisition and redevelopment of industrial property for high-density residential purposes, and in this case for leisure purposes, has resulted in a reduction in the supply of affordable industrial property in East London, Essex and Kent. This situation has been exacerbated by an increase in demand for logistics property due to the rise of internet shopping and more recently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of this, industrial values have increased significantly. There is also a diminishing amount of property that is suitable for the businesses that will be displaced if development consent is granted for the London Resort. It seems that little thought has been given to where the many businesses affected by these schemes, and in particular by the London Resort development, will operate from after their premises have been acquired and redeveloped.