Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) Preferred Approach 2015

Comment

Representation ID: 2374

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

This process has not been made user friendly at all and it even appears to have been made deliberately complex so that the general public get lost in legal jargon and policy grammar. You will not gain a real sense of what Southend people want or need through a complex series of download PDFs and this form!

Comment

Representation ID: 2375

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

Southend-On-Sea needs more innovative transport solutions. Other cities such as Manchester etc have reverted back to the tram system and park and ride schemes. There is no connectivity from rail other than car or walking. To resurrect a tram system would not only provide an efficient form of transport but enhance the sea side feel that Southend is missing. Parking is also an issue and any new development should provide a self-sufficient parking solution and stop commercial and retail parking in residential areas

Comment

Representation ID: 2376

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

Southend-On-Sea central residential area is dilapidated due to poor land lord management. Houses should be returned from multiple occupancy to private family homes. The property management companies and landlords in Southend are in it for pure profit, and many don't even live in Southend. This culture has been proven to bring down the standard of living in an area which is demonstrated all over Southend. The planning department should be promoting family owned homes in central Southend allowing private money to turn the dilapidated properties back in to quality family homes steering away from flats and multiple occupancy. This would attract London professionals who have the disposable income to significantly invest in their own properties, providing employment for local tradesmen.

Comment

Representation ID: 2377

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

Southend-On-Sea central area is poorly lit and pedestrian routes for commuters from Southend Central station are seen as unsafe. Most commuters will travel in the hours of darkness whether it be morning or night and to encourage walking around the central areas better lighting is required.

Comment

Representation ID: 2378

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

The Clifftown conservation area is poorly lit and pedestrian routes for commuters from Southend Central station are seen as unsafe, where the traditional lighting is cosmetic and does not assist in the safety and security of pedestrians.

Comment

Representation ID: 2379

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

The central area is highly residential and traffic speed is too high; especially in the residential areas of Clifftown. Traffic calming options should be installed to reduce traffic speed in these areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 2380

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

Southend-On-Sea central area parking currently relies on parking in residential streets. This is especially true in the Clifftown area where the theatre and London commuters, rely on on-street parking in the residential areas surrounding. Clifftown Parade is particularly bad and has become dangerous for locals due to speed and congestion made by over parking. This causes stress and major issues for local residents. Car parks on the fringes of the city centre should be built to host and rectify these issues. Any sea front investment, regeneration or build should have a self-sustaining carpark which does not impede the local residents. A Tram system should be investigated further which would solve the train to car issue and reduce road congestion in the area; in turn reducing carbon emissions.

Comment

Representation ID: 2381

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

Southend-On-Sea central area should make use of more student halls as opposed to multiple occupancy private landlord ran accommodation. The multiple occupancy student accommodation in residential areas has been studied elsewhere and is proven to bring down the area in which it is situated. Students living in residential areas do not do anything for that area. Students should be accommodated in halls which should be funded by the university. The current university halls are a complete eye sore and do nothing to enhance the local area. This architectural design is not sensitive to the culture in Southend and not built to last. Private landlords should be strictly controlled and forced to maintain properties to a high standard, which is currently not happening.

Comment

Representation ID: 2382

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

Southend-On-Sea conservation areas should be extended and cover the majority of Southend's Georgian and Victorian buildings, both residential and commercial. Shop owners and retailers should have strict planning guidelines and be forced to maintain shop fronts. Shops such as Bargain buy with their over use of on street advertising and garish and tacky shop fronts should be banned and in place smaller and more traditional shop fronts should be used. Hitchin, Bury St Edmunds etc have good planning control which maintains the heritage look and feeling of pride in those towns.

Support

Representation ID: 2383

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

OS9 - Southend-On-Sea museum position on the seafront below Clifftown parade is a good idea in principle but the residents of Clifftown will not allow access to be gained from Clifftown parade and all access to development whether it be by bus coach or car should be via the sea front road and not Clifftown parade, which is a residential road. The Museum should be reduced in height from its current plan to ensure it steps down from the cliff and not in line with the cliff. This drop down would stop the extension that juts out impeding on the Clifftown area, local views and the Victorian design of the area. Any brickwork used in the build should be of high quality and fit with the old red brick of the backdrop houses on the clifftop. The band stand and shelters should be incorporated in to the design of the museum to gently mix new with old and celebrate the heritage as the museum should not only exhibit artefacts and images but the local architecture of the seaside town too. Should the conservation area be extended this would assist in making the whole seafront and town in to a living museum but with a modern function. Remember shabby Chic is the new modern!! If the museum is built then all parking for the museum should be provided by the museum in underground parking (including coaches) and access should be from the seafront and no access at all from Clifftown Parade. This is a residential area and should be protected as such.