Final Chance to Comment on Five-Year Blueprint for Development of Central Southend and Seafront

December 13, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Southend residents, businesses and community groups have until 5pm this Friday (16 December) to comment upon a key planning document that will guide development of central Southend and the central seafront over the next five years.

Before planning officers submit the Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) to the Secretary of State for consideration, the public is being asked to give their feedback on the final draft of the plan.

The final draft has been developed after extensive engagement with the public, including public workshops, face-to-face meetings and online consultation. If approved, it can then be adopted by the Council as official planning policy.

The plan covers the Town Centre, Central Seafront Area and neighbourhoods of Victoria and Sutton in Southend-on-Sea. It sets out planning policies for positively managing development and assessing planning applications in Southend Central Area, including for retail, transport and the natural environment. It also contains proposals for specific sites within the focus area.

Earlier this year, the Council consulted extensively over its proposals, resulting in 900 comments from local residents and businesses. This feedback has been considered and reflected in the current draft of the plans.

You can view the document and how it has been shaped through public consultation here: www.southend.gov.uk/scaap

Cllr Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning & Public Protection Services, said: “The Southend Central Area Action Plan has been produced by listening to our local community and it outlines how we believe the town centre and central seafront should be developed over the coming years.

“A great deal of hard work has gone into getting it to this stage and we now want to give local residents, businesses and community groups this opportunity to give their feedback before it goes to the Government Inspector.

“All feedback will be reviewed by the Inspector before they make their decision.”

Local residents, businesses and community groups have until 5pm on 16 December 2016 to review the plan and make formal representations relating to the soundness and legal compliance of the Plan. You can view the SCAAP and have your say in the following ways:

Online: visit www.southend.gov.uk/scaap to view the document and comment online. Alternatively, you can download the response form and return it to us via email or post.

At the library: Hard copies of the SCAAP and response forms can be found at local libraries and the Civic Centre