Housing plan for Southend over next five years approved

Southend Council’s cabinet has approved the Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) which sets out proposed planning policies by the council for managing development and assessing planning applications in the town centre through to 2021

Mark Flewitt, councillor responsible for housing, planning and sustainability, said: “Having the SCAAP report approved by cabinet with such support from fellow councillors and officers is a testament to the importance and quality of this key planning policy document, which will lead to the development of the local plan.

“The SCAAP will be an important driver for investment and growth in Southend Central Area, including housing, jobs and infrastructure that is much needed in the borough, as well as safeguarding the local environment and generally giving us more control over the future of Southend.”

Mr Flewitt added: “The next step will be to secure the support of full council. If this is received, the adoption of the SCAAP will allow us to look forward and continue to develop and sustain a Southend that is best for everyone.”

Government inspector, Mike Fox, who carried out the independent examination of the plan at a public hearing in May, gave his approval in December.

Mr Fox proposed modifications to the draft, including providing replacement car parking capacity to be found “within ten minutes walking distance of the seafront” when prospective developments, such as the Seaway leisure complex, are approved.

Seafront traders lobbied Mr Fox over Seaway which is included in the plans, saying there would be a net loss of parking spaces.

The massive Queensway development, which will see town centre tower blocks demolished in favour of lower rise apartment blocks, also forms part of the plans, along with redevelopment of the Warrior Square and Tylers Avenue areas.

The full report from the planning inspector, including the modifications, can be found at: www.southend.gov.uk/scaap