Southend-on-Sea City Council is cracking down on the blight of derelict and neglected sites by naming and shaming the city’s top 12 offenders through a new initiative called the “Dirty Dozen” list.
The Joint Administration has set this out as a priority for 2025/26 to target and enforce against unoccupied, deteriorating buildings, as well as those that are unsafe or encroaching on public space, taking inspiration from a successful "Dirty 30" initiative used by Christchurch, New Zealand, to tackle long-term derelict sites.
The City Council has developed a new policy for derelict and neglected sites, designed to bring about faster, more visible improvements by focusing enforcement and support where it is most needed.
The policy will:
- Work with site owners to bring properties back into use or encourage sale to someone who can deliver
- Reduce the number of derelict or stalled sites over time
- Promote inward investment and send a clear message that stalled opportunities must be delivered - or transferred to someone who can
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, said: "The launch of the Dirty Dozen list is important to us because neglected or derelict sites and buildings that fall into disrepair lead to negative perceptions of the city for visitors and investors, which holds back the city's potential.
"We a thriving, vibrant city where people enjoy living, shopping, working, and visiting. Empty homes, boarded shops, derelict sites, and unbuilt developments go against our vision to build a city to be proud of so we're calling time on inaction and saying enough is enough.
"This new approach by the administration will highlight these sites and we'll engage with owners to expedite their improvement, enhancing the city's environment and investment potential."
The Dirty Dozen
The current list of sites - reviewed regularly and updated as appropriate - includes:
- The Kursaal, Southchurch Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2YX
- 7-11 Elmer Approach, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NE
- Marine Plaza, Southchurch Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EY
- New Empire Theatre Site, 22 Alexandra Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1BU
- Fisherman's Wharf, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE
- 170-174 High Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1JS
- 25 Prince Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS2 6RL
- 153A, 153B, 153C and 155 Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7EL
- The Old Vienna Site, 162 Eastwood Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 3AG
- 26 Leigh Hill, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2DN
- Pier Hill Retail Units, Pier Hill (beneath Park Inn Plaza), Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2AL
- 823-827, 827A, 829-837 (odd numbers) London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 9TE
These sites are the initial focus of the policy. The aim is that, as progress is made, fewer than a dozen sites will remain on the list.