More than 700 jobs could be created if a development involving a new hospice, office blocks and homes goes ahead in Southend.
Bellway Homes and Havens Hospices’ joint plan for 212 homes, a £16million care home, and office blocks on the former Ekco site, in Priory Crescent, will be decided next Wednesday.
Planning officers have recommended approval for the scheme, which will create 720 jobs.
If it goes ahead, it will bring to an end a four-year saga on where to build a new Havens hospice after previous plans to build on the green belt in Leigh prompted mass public outcry.
Ron Woodley, the leader of Southend Council, said: “This is an exciting time for Southend and we’ve got investors contacting the council all the time.
“All of this is helped by grants to sort out the A127 and it is a sign of the trust in the council from the Government and investors.”
Despite the council’s optimism, the proposals have angered some residents, who claim the development will lead to traffic hell in the area because the housing estate’s only exit will be on to the quiet residential road Thornford Gardens.
Mark Flewitt, Tory councillor for St Laurence ward, said: “The hospice is welcome here, as the charity’s plan to build it on green space in Leigh was just ridiculous and would have led to a free for all.
“But we are concerned about the traffic from the housing, and this isn’t just another crude Nimby situation.
“The traffic estimations are based on models, but if officers look at the number of homes proposed and the parking put forward something isn’t right.”
According to estimates from consultant Atkins, the traffic change on the local network would be “negligible”, with around 114 extra peak morning vehicle movements.
But the homes, which include 56 flats, will have 392 car parking spaces on site, and residents fear their roads will be clogged with traffic.
The 5,200sqmof office space – almost the size of a football pitch – will have 146 bays, while the hospice will have space for 92 vehicles, but both will be accessed from Priory Crescent, at the southern part of the site.
If planning permission is granted, the hospice will be open in five years and be a like-for- like replacement for its Fair Havens hospice, in Second Avenue, Westcliff.
2011: Havens announces it wants to build a new £16million hospice in Belton Way West, Leigh. The site is controversial as it is in the green belt December
2011: Southend Council recommends the plans be refused, so the hospice withdraws them
August 2012: The hospice claims Belton Way West is the only suitable site for the hospice in the borough, and re-applies for permission after discussions with planning officers
October 2012: The application makes it to the development contro committee, where it is refused by councillors
April 2013: Havens announces it will appeal over the decision
October 2013: Three days before the deadline, the hospice announces it is withdrawing its appeal, despite spending thousands on it
January 2014: Havens is understood to be one of the firms looking at joining up with Bellway in the purchase of the old Ekco site
June 2014: A planning application is submitted for the whole site
January 2014: Planning officials recommend the plans for approval
What will the hospice offer?
ABOUT 320 jobs or volunteer roles will be created when Havens Hospices’ new adult care centre opens in five years’ time, if it gets planning approval.
After a three-year wrangle, the charity looks set to finally succeed in replacing to its tired Westcliff base.
The state-of-the-art £16million unit would encompass a 16-bed adult care ward, day care centre and day-treatment facilities, and a hub for the likes of Macmillan care nurses and hospice at home services.
In addition, the new building would have space for family support and bereavement counselling, plus areas to train healthcare professionals and administration and support services.
Residents up in arms over proposals
RESIDENTS claim their quiet retirement idyll will be destroyed by the new housing estate.
Bellway Homes says the only exit for its 221-home estate will be through Thornford Gardens, which leads into Manners Way.
Locals say the roads already can’t cope, as Manners Way leads into the notorious Cuckoo Corner roundabout, and traffic also comes down from Southend Road, in Rochford.
Pam Dilliway, 66, of Thornford Gardens, said: “A lot of people bought down here as retirement homes, but no one listens to us when we say it’ll be a nightmare.
“Manners Way is already bumper to bumper from 8am, so the whole area will grind to a halt if they have the exit here.
“They should put in a roundabout close to the pub on Priory Crescent and have the site’s entrance there.”
There will be an entrance on Priory Crescent, but that will just be for the offices and hospice.
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