Southend Council preparing to fight tower block appeal

Proposals for 58 new homes on the site, in Tylers Avenue, were thrown out back in February after residents launched a campaign around the loss of a tree, inadequate parking, and a lack of affordable homes.

However, the developer behind the bid, Vikesh Kotecha, has launched an appeal with the planning inspectorate in a bid to see the decision overturned and get the green light to push on with the plans.

Thrown out - developers have appealed the rejection of 58 new homes (Image: Vikesh Kotecha)

At the time, the plans sparked the creation of the campaign group “Save Chester” after it was revealed a 150-year-old mature London Plane tree would have to be axed as part of the plans.

Multiple protests were held over the plans and residents welcomed the council’s decision to throw out the plans.

Southend Council leader Daniel Cowan said the council would fight the appeal.

He added: “The applicant is within their right to appeal to the planning inspectorate.

“I am confident that the council will be able to robustly defend our case and the original reasons for refusal.”

Prepared to fight - Daniel Cowan (Image: Southend Council)

The site, which was once Churchill’s diner before becoming the Mangetout restaurant, has been vacant since 2021, when the previous one and two-storey building was demolished, and is currently surrounded by grey hoarding.

The plans which had been described as “Brutalist” were rejected with councillors voting 11 to two in February.

The lack of affordable housing was raised as a concern, while its minimalistic, concrete design was considered not to fit into the High Street.

Speaking when the plan was refused, Anne Jones, Labour councillor for Westborough Ward, said: “It’s a very monolithic, unexciting and Brutalist type of structure, very, very big. It’s not in keeping with the style and character of the High Street, which this does link immediately to.”

To comment on the appeal, visit acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/. Any additional comments will need to be made by September 11.