80
Object
Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) - Revised Proposed Submission 2016
Representation ID: 2482
Received: 10/11/2016
Respondent: Southend & District Pensioner's Campaign
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Not going to be a Regional Capital of culture or tourism. Town is ideal for day-trippers. We cannot expect large numbers of visitors to stay overnight. We are surprised the tourism is not a bigger part of this document, given it's importance to the central area. Any planning inspector would be amazed we believe. This is embarrassing to our residents we feel. We should be bold and imaginative in developing our Pier's potential, with new trains/ monorail and something at the head to excite visitors. The Priory could attract many people if the Saxon remains were housed nearby.
We do not see Southend as having any chance of being recognised as a cultural or tourist capital of the East of England Region. We have excelled at attracting day-trippers, but cannot expect many visitors to stay overnight. The Prittlewell Priory and the Pier are our greatest attractions for tourists, and can be seen in a day. The beaches also appeal to large numbers for a day. We are like London-on- Sea, and need to develop the Priory site with the Saxon relics preserved near the grave site. This could encourage history and archaeological tourist who may stay over for a night. This Action Plan does not say enough about tourism in our view, as there are major challenges involved. The bus service is dreadful in the evening, and the High Street needs restaurants and a hotel. It is dead after the shops close. C2C is now Southend's greatest economic driver, and we remain a famous down-market seaside resort, ideal for day-trippers. The public toilet facilities are often appalling.