CRUMBLING tower blocks in the heart of Southend are finally set for demolition as £575million transformation plans are poised to get the green light.

Southend councillors will meet next week to consider the detailed plan for 1,760 new homes – 312 of which will be low-cost – in blocks ranging from three to 18-storeys.

The ambition is to create a thriving community in the heart of Southend, peppered with parks, green spaces, cafes and leisure facilities.

Southend Council and Swan Housing are behind the ambitious, ten-year blueprint, involving the demolition Quantock, Chiltern, Malvern and Pennine tower blocks and the residential maisonettes fronting Sutton Road.

They will be replaced with modern homes with shops, cafes, offices, a nursery, recording studios, a brewery and bakery.

The plan involves controversial plans to “fill in” the Queensway underpass, leaving a four-lane “tree-lined boulevard” with crossings. This is vehemently opposed by Conservatives.

Mike Smith, a member of the Queensway steering group, backed the proposal, saying: “We are all quite pleased about it. It looks like it will be a nice environment to live in.

“They have kept us up to date with everything and listened to our ideas. It’s all about getting on with it now without any faffing about the racetrack running through our area. It was a bad design and getting rid of it is a good thing.”

Six public landscaped areas will be created, including Porters Park which will include a play area near the Grade I listed mayoral residence.

A civic square will be created around the Gothic-style All Saints Church and a landscaped area will connect with the Warrior Square Conservation area.

Three pieces of public art costing £150,000 will be installed in Porters Park, Coleman Gardens and All Saints Civic Square.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, said the scheme would transform the town.

He said: “There will be a large number of extra homes on the site and more people so that will increase people using the town centre bringing more protection for shops and cafes.

“It is going to take ten to 12 years to complete but you’ve got to start somewhere.

“This is just the start. With the new developments in Victoria Avenue, Roots Hall and Seaway,”

Southend Council’s development control committee will meet at a special meeting next week and are recommended to give conditional approval.