IMPROVEMENTS to the pier, CCTV and theatres have been approved along with a deal for 1,600 more homes described as the “biggest undertaking in a lifetime” for Southend Council.

The cabinet backed the budget, which must be ratified by full council, and plans to build 1,600 homes by Queensway in partnership with Swan Housing.

Councillor James Courtenay, deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “This is a really exciting thing.

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“It is the biggest undertaking this council has undertaken in my lifetime and I suspect in the leader’s lifetime as well.

“The biggest thing I can think we’ve done before this is building the Civic Centre and when you compare that to what we’re doing here, this is really massive.”

An example model laid out by Swan includes approximately 1,600 new homes, of which more than 500 will be affordable.

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It also maintains four lanes of traffic on Queensway alongside new green spaces and improved walking and cycling areas.

There are currently 441 properties on the Queensway site set across three tower blocks and residents are guaranteed to be rehoused in the new development if they choose to be, according to Councillor Courtenay.

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Leader John Lamb, told the cabinet yesterday: “Residents of this area will get modern homes that are far better than what they’ve got now.

“These will meet all the modern criteria.”

Mr Courtenay added in community meetings many of the existing residents had, “volunteered their tower block to go first so they could be the first to move into new accommodation”.

Among the budget proposals approved is £18million for the iconic Southend Pier.

The money will pay for new trains, a new restaurant and a visitor’s pavilion.

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The council has also earmarked £2million to upgrade CCTV in the town centre.

Another £5.7million will be invested in child and adult services.

Parking fees will also be frozen in council car parks with more short stay spaces to be made available.

Councillor Courtenay added “I’m conscious of the impact of costs for people to come to the town when they wish to stay for a short period of time and having listened to business, we are introducing ultra-short stay.”