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Green masterplan for Southend
6:55am Monday 30th July 2007
Comments (8)A PAIR of wind turbines with viewing platforms could boost eco-tourism in Southend, as part of an alternative regeneration package drawn up by environmental campaigners.
Friends of the Earth has presented its own vision for the revamp of the town, in response to urban regeneration company Renaissance Southend's recent masterplan.
The official plan would involve bulldozing homes near the town centre.
Denis Walker, co-ordinator for South-East Essex Friends of the Earth, said: "Ours is an alternative vision for the future of Southend, which does not depend upon an environmentally destructive economic model.
"The plan rejects further expansion of Southend Airport, given the significant and dangerous contribution aviation makes to climate change.
"Instead, it promotes the creation of new employment opportunities by pursuing renewable energy sources, zero-carbon housing and eco-tourism."
Key elements of the plan are: l Two wind turbines with viewing platforms, similar to some in Swaffham, Norfolk, to promote eco-tourism l Approval of new large-scale developments to be dependent on high standards of energy efficiency and renewable technology to ensure projects are carbon neutral l Council tax reductions for homes which use renewable energy technologies.
l Promoting the area as a destination for short cycling, sailing and windsurfing breaks Mr Walker said: "Renaissance Southend appears to be unaware of the Government's new draft planning policy statement which will require local authorities to promote renewable technologies and reject irresponsible proposals which lead to increased emissions of greenhouse gases.
"Many people are extremely disappointed by the plans put forward by Renaissance Southend. They are dependent on old, dirty, polluting industries which will contribute to rising sea levels and increased flooding.
"Our alternative proposals provide an opportunity for councillors to choose a different route, promoting increased employment opportunities whilst respecting the natural limits of our environment."
Your Say YourEcho
BD, southend says...
12:19pm Mon 30 Jul 07
As someone who cycles more than most people drive every year, and having ridden and raced all over the world I have to say southend is the last place I would go for a cycling break..its also imo one of the most dangerous with some of the most imaptient driving Ive ever seen..
Good ideas though but as said above the council would never promote it...
Disgusted, Basildon says...
3:26pm Mon 30 Jul 07
The Southend fella, Leigh says...
5:28pm Mon 30 Jul 07
Nick BURTON, Southend says...
8:42pm Mon 30 Jul 07
Dan, north leigh says...
12:18am Tue 31 Jul 07
Disgusted wrote:Wind turbines aren't eyesores, they look quite elegant really. It's a shame there are so many old **** who moan about property values and block the planning process.
The energy that wind turbines provide may be greener, but 2 wind turbines are not going to make much difference. Not only that they are an eyesore. If the greens want them they should be shoved out in the sea away from land.
On a wider note, I don't really think Friends of the Earth have much of a clue, Southend's masterplan hardly depends on 'polluting industries' at all. It's based on leisure, culture, tourism and business - it's not as if they;re planning to plonk a steel mill in the town!
And as for the airport, expand the **** thing and watch the town grow.
Mike, Central Southend says...
8:25am Tue 31 Jul 07
There is a shortage already, why create more of one ???
G Public, Southend says...
11:21am Tue 31 Jul 07
The Southend fella wrote:Good idea Southend Fella but being honest there are already profitable schemes for farmers to do this, where they make money from the turbine and they can still use the land.
<b> Everyone says that we should be going a little greener which i agree with....but why put them in places like the seafront... i agree with the last poster that they should be offshore more but i also think that they could be used by farmers as this would provide more farmers with a deeper incentive than has been provided by council or government to turn more green, the fields we have round here are vast and would surely be able to cope with one or two turbines amongst them....</b>
The problem is that a lot of inshore farmland just doesn't get enough regular wind (although it may seem like it at times!)
Many power companies are only too eager to speak to farmers about this, but when the tests are done on the suitability of the land, there just isn't enough wind.
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Peter, Southend-on-Sea says...
11:04am Mon 30 Jul 07
The moment i read about council tax reductions i knew it was doomed to be another pipedream.
Southend Council would never promote that idea in a million years!
Nice though to see some competition for Renaissance Southend though, must make them realise their days are numbered (but there's been plenty of us saying that for a long time here on this site forum).