The Southend Seaway project gains council’s cabinet support

February 27, 2020 by Emily Mertens

On Tuesday 25th February 2020, the council's cabinet met to discuss a detailed report about the proposed development of the Seaway car park, and decided to maintain support for the project.

The plans propose a private-sector led development of a cinema, hotel, restaurants, leisure space and car parking on the site of the current council-owned Seaway car park.

Cabinet agreed to maintain support on the basis of:

•          the economic case including the significant job opportunities that the development will bring
•          the contribution to the Council’s published ambition and outcomes
•          the level of commitment made by the Council and Turnstone
•          the desire to maintain the currently committed tenants
•          the progress which has been made to date
•          the reduced risk of the Homes England funding claw back

The planning application for the proposed development is a separate matter, and will be determined by the Secretary of State, following an appeal against non-determination by the applicant Turnstone.

The development will include a brand new state of the art 11 screen Empire Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, restaurants and cafes, 80-room Travelodge hotel, indoor leisure center with rock-climbing, indoor golf and a gym, multi-storey car park, coach drop off and a new public realm. 

Councillor Ron Woodley, Cabinet Member for Inward Investment said: “Maintaining our support for this all year round leisure facility sends out the message that Southend-on-Sea is very much open for business and we want investment and job creation in the Borough.

“We are a destination town – a town for people to come, stay, have fun and enjoy the facilities we have to offer and I believe this proposed development will add to that.

“It will also increase footfall into the town centre and central Southend area at a vital time, and it will also bring a number of economic benefits that will be a real boost for the Borough.”

What are your thoughts on the proposed project? Let us know in the comments below.