Development Plan Documents (DPD's)

Consultation on Issues and Options Report

As part of the new Statutory Development Plan for Southend-on-Sea, the Borough Council is producing an Area Action Plan for the Seafront. This is in accordance with the Council's Core Strategy which, because of the significant challenges facing the Seafront and the opportunities for major change, identifies the need for the preparation of an Area Action Plan for the Seafront. This document sets out the issues and options that should be considered to guide future development decisions in the area.

The approach taken in this Area Action Plan is to recognise that the Seafront has several different zones with distinctive characteristics, issues and opportunities. This document describes their character, identifies any related issues and puts forward options for future planning approaches. The zones are:

1. Two Tree Island, Leigh Marshes and Belton Hills
2. Leigh Port and Old Town
3. The Cinder Path (Old Leigh to Chalkwell Station including Marine and Grand Parade and Undercliff Gardens)
4. Chalkwell Station to Palmeira Avenue
5. Central Seafront Area (Palmeira Avenue to former Corporation Loading Jetty)
6. Former Corporation Loading Jetty to Thorpe Hall Avenue
7. Thorpe Hall Avenue to Ness Road
8. Shoeburyness

It is recognised that there are issues relevant to the whole of the seafront area that require attention and resolution in terms of what the main objectives should be and the policy approach for achieving these objectives. The following cross cutting issues have been identified as key to the seafront:

1. Flood risk, sea defences, including beach and the cliffs unstable land
2. Nature conservation and biodiversity
3. Public realm including foreshore and open space
4. Economic development
5. Housing development
6. Movement and access

The council is also publishing an independent Sustainability Appraisal. This uses a set of social, economic and environmental criteria to assess the impact of the options put forward.