DETAILED plans to change the face of Southend town centre with new shopping centres, flats, restaurants and cafes, have been revealed in a special edition of the Echo today.

Meanwhile, readers have been commenting on revelations in Friday's Echo that the town's ground level car parks are to be replaced with new multi-storeys. Add your view at the end of this report and

Click here four our special section with full details, pictures and the chance to have your say

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UP TO 1,650 new homes, shops and businesses could be built on ground-level car parks in Southend town centre.

Regeneration company Renaissance Southend revealed the scheme in its long-awaited masterplan for the High Street area.

A series of multi-storey car parks, all within five minutes walk of the High Street, are being planned to replace the redeveloped car parks.

Renaissance Southend in-sists its blueprint will be succesful because it is backed by Government regeneration agency English Partnerships, which has the cash and expertise to acquire the land.

English Partnerships has already bought Clarence Road and Alexandra Street car park for redevelopment as a Brighton Lanes-style market and shopping complex.

Renaissance Southend chairman Theo Steel said: "I know people are going to say We've heard it all before' but I believe there is a real opportunity now for the regeneration of Southend."

The car parks earmarked for redevelopment are in Tylers Avenue, Warrior Square, Farringdon and Seaway in addition to the Brighton Lanes-style scheme on Clarence Road and Alexandra Street car parks.

Renaissance Southend chief executive Mike Lambert said: "The surface car parks are a major underused asset and our proposals suggest their redevelopment and the provision of new multi-storey car parks on sites which have yet to be identified.

"For example, the current car wash site on Queensway could be a site for one to help free up land in the town centre. Our intention is to make sure there are at least as many and in the future more parking spaces in the area of the town centre than there are now."

Duncan Innes, English Partnerships regional director said: "English Partnerships aims to help regeneration companies like Renaissance Southend in their work for their communities.

"By offering advice, funding and support, we are working with Renaissance Southend, the East of England Development Agency and Southend Council to support the town centre masterplan and its essential objectives to improve Southend's retail offer and connections between the high street and the seafront.

"Our site purchase of the Alexandra Street and Clarence Road car park sites will complement Renaissance Southend's plans and help make the masterplan a viable and exciting possibility. "

Mr Steel added: "The university has given a firm commitment to the town, we are seeing the refurbishment of Victoria Plaza and Marks and Spencer is also making a substantial investment in the town."We've heard it all before' but I believe there is a real opportunity now for the regeneration of South-end."

The car parks earmarked for redevelopment are in Tylers Avenue, Warrior Square, Farring-don and Seaway, in addition to the Brighton Lanes-style scheme on Clarence Road and Alexandra Street car parks.

Renaissance Southend chief executive Mike Lambert said: "The surface car parks are a major underused asset and our proposals suggest their redevelopment and the provision of new multi-storey car parks on sites which have yet to be identified.

"For example, the current car wash site on Queensway could be a site for one to help free up land in the town centre.

"Our intention is to make sure there are at least as many and, in the future, more parking spaces in the area of the town centre than there are now."

Duncan Innes, English Partnerships regional dir-ector said: "English Part-nerships aims to help regeneration companies like Renaissance Southend in their work for their communities.

"Our site purchase of the Alexandra Street and Clarence Road car park sites will complement Renaissance Southend's plans and help make the masterplan a viable and exciting possibility."

Mr Steel added: "The university has given a firm commitment to the town, we are seeing the refurbishment of Victoria Plaza and Marks and Spencer is also making a substantial investment in the town."

IN MONDAY'S ECHO: 4-PAGE SPECIAL ON THE RENAISSANCE SOUTHEND PLANS