Sime facts about development in Shoebury.

The Garrison main gate is to be closed to traffic and pedestrianised. The new road from Campfield Road leads into the development.

Barge Pier Road is to be raised and widened to take the traffic from Ness Road to the new commercial and retail area.

There has been much debate about the removal and replanting of the trees, but all these matters were discussed during public consultations.

The new park includes a pond, a cricket pitch, skateboard park and a heritage centre, things most people would appreciate. Not everyone just wants a park to walk their dogs.

The project for a new school is far from dead and buried.

No Shoebury councillor has approved any plans for any form of landmark building. In fact, no planning application has ever been submitted to the council. All we have seen is a winning design in a competition.

We, the ward councillors, can confirm the sea defences are being brought up to Environment Agency specifications to provide protection to a 1-in-200 risk, paid for by the developer, Gladedale, which will also provide a capital sum for future maintenance.

Pat Raynor
Southend councillor
Shoeburyness ward

...Where were all these Gunners Park protesters eight years ago? I attended several Hands Off Gunners Park meetings organised by Roger Hadley, before he became a councillor and Paul Halley. Thousands of letters were sent to residents informing them on what was about to happen to the park. Public meetings were called at Shoebury High School, yet only about 100 people out of a population of approximately 20,000 bothered to sign a petition or write letters of protest. Roger Hadley and Paul Halley worked hard to try and limit the damage this planning application would bring to Gunners Park. They were successful in securing the freehold of the new park and managed to win a reduction in the number of properties to be built in the Garrison. The public should have listened years ago when these plans were first proposed. Once plans have been approved, there is no turning back.

Anna Goodson
Caulfield Road
Shoebury