THE bitter stand-off between leading businesses and Southend Council is set to continue after a controversial plan shaping the future of the town centre was sent for public consultation.

Councillors agreed to seek public opinion on the Southend Central Area Action Plan following a heated full council debate.

The plan, which has been in the making since 2010 and identifies areas for potential development in the coming years, has proved unpopular with Southend businesses and seafront traders over what they claim is a chronic lack of parking provision.

The plan sets out a vision to make Southend a “prosperous and thriving regional centre” that is “vibrant, safe and hospitable”.

It includes major schemes such as the regeneration of Queensway and Victoria Avenue, but some councillors and businesses believe it will be detrimental to the seafront economy as without adequate parking visitors could be deterred.

It identifies several of the town’s car parks as land for potential housing developments, in particular the Seaway car park and a temporary car park on Marine Parade due to become the Marine Plaza development, but opponents to the plan feel this is short-sighted.

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for Thorpe ward said: “I simply do not accept that this should go ahead as is.

“It is absolutely ridiculous to propose building on our own car parks and not have a plan to understand what is going to happen.

“This is not a soap opera. People’s livelihoods and businesses could be torn to shreds if we get this wrong.

“If you’ve got the whole of the business community all saying no, you need to listen to what they’re saying. They have done our town proud by creating employment and you’re putting all of that at risk.”

Speaking at the meeting, Mark Flewitt, Tory councillor responsible for planning, urged councillors to allow the plan to be open for the public to comment on.

He said: “Let’s release this to the public and let it be challenged openly. It’s about not keeping this as exclusive consultation.

“We should trust other people to have a view then a very experienced inspector will be the final arbiter. We can’t keep this soap opera running.”

Despite agreeing that the plan was inappropriate, Ron Woodley, Independent Thorpe ward councillor, argued the plan needed to be moved forward, having been delayed for long enough.

He said: “I think this council needs to support this document. Let’s not keep sitting back and waiting for tomorrow.

“If we keep delaying, this town will sink to the lowest rung. We have got to drive it properly.”

The decision to release the report for public consultation was passed by 28 votes to 20 and Mr Flewitt asserted that a separate parking and tourism review would take place across the whole town.

Following a consultation the plan will be scrutinised by a Government planning inspector.