Comment
Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) - Revised Proposed Submission 2016
Representation ID: 2477
Received: 09/11/2016
Respondent: Milton Conservation Society
There is an absence of strategic recognition of the importance of the local historic environment and settlement in terms of its ability to influence future development.
We understand that the desire for a 'City by the Sea' has been a long standing strategy but there appears to no strategic recognition of the historic settlement of central Southend and importance of C18, C19 & early C20 architecture. Instead historic aspects appear only to be recognised in isolation as buildings/areas to be conserved and enhanced and not used as important references for future development. This has been a longstanding problem in Southend. We would like to see the historic environment and settlement brought forward as far more significant to the future of Southend to help avoid the systemic repeat of the past projects of isolation such as the Victoria Shopping Centre, The Royals, the Sainsbury site and most recently, the University student housing. This of course is a very big issue which we cannot go further into here but requires comprehensive discussion and investigation over time with key stakeholders and public representatives.