What new facilities should be introduced into this area to enhance its vitality and viability?

Showing comments and forms 1 to 8 of 8

Comment

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 370

Received: 02/07/2010

Respondent: Mrs Maxine Kinder

Representation Summary:

Please no more bars in this area as already saturated and impacts on our lives.
Housing for private residents with minimal social housing, but residential development would be of benefit

Full text:

Having lived in Whitegate Road for the past 30years I cannot think there is much you could possibly plan that would make this area worse. The only reservation I have is the mention in the plan for restaurants and bars in this vicinity. Since the opening of Mayhem, Seymours and varsity the quality of our lives has deteriorated dramatically with the increased vehicle use and noise of drunken people returning to their cars in the early hours of the morning.
I would welcome positive development that would enhance the value of my property, this would include development of the car park which would prevent football abd skateboards being played with here causing damage to my property and car. If Housing is to be the objective, it needs to be a mix between private and social as we already have a considerable amount of households here where there are no working contributing people living.

Comment

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 394

Received: 26/07/2010

Respondent: A thomas

Representation Summary:

This site should contain
mixed use to include good quality open market housing, offices, larger retail stores, discreet parking and some cafes/bars (not late night) to over look the park. it could support a couple of 10/12 storey really smart residential buildings but predominantly open market not affordable as we need to bring residents to southend town centre who have some money to spend to raise its profile and to atttract better shops and stop the decline to 3rd rate retailing.

Full text:

This site should contain
mixed use to include good quality open market housing, offices, larger retail stores, discreet parking and some cafes/bars (not late night) to over look the park. it could support a couple of 10/12 storey really smart residential buildings but predominantly open market not affordable as we need to bring residents to southend town centre who have some money to spend to raise its profile and to atttract better shops and stop the decline to 3rd rate retailing.

Comment

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 562

Received: 09/08/2010

Respondent: Renaissance Southend Ltd

Representation Summary:

The Warrior Square Quarter should reflect the principles in the CAM with the introduction of new housing and an element of employment and commercial uses that would benefit from the enhancements to Warrior Square Garden. This could include new civic uses if appropriate. Improved links to the High Street to create a new circuit will be essential to viability as will flexibility on overall mix and type of development. The Development Brief will need to make provision for suitable replacement of existing parking provision as part of the the development or elsewhere within the town centre.

Full text:

The Warrior Square Quarter should reflect the principles in the CAM with the introduction of new housing and an element of employment and commercial uses that would benefit from the enhancements to Warrior Square Garden. This could include new civic uses if appropriate. Improved links to the High Street to create a new circuit will be essential to viability as will flexibility on overall mix and type of development. The Development Brief will need to make provision for suitable replacement of existing parking provision as part of the the development or elsewhere within the town centre.

Object

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 602

Received: 07/08/2010

Respondent: Herbert Grove Residents

Representation Summary:

All the plans proposed by RSL so far have been short sighted, for instance an underground car park under Warrior Square to service the retail at the centre of the town and the local residence could easily be incorporated.
One Herbert Grove Resident believes that the software used for design by RSL has no capacity to include topography and any underground development.

Full text:

All the plans proposed by RSL so far have been short sighted, for instance an underground car park under Warrior Square to service the retail at the centre of the town and the local residence could easily be incorporated.
One Herbert Grove Resident believes that the software used for design by RSL has no capacity to include topography and any underground development.

Object

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 603

Received: 07/08/2010

Respondent: Herbert Grove Residents

Representation Summary:

All the plans proposed by RSL so far have been short sighted, for instance an underground car park to service the retail at the centre of the town and the local residence could easily be incorporated.
One Herbert Grove Resident believes that the software used for design by RSL has no capacity to include topography and any underground development.

Full text:

All the plans proposed by RSL so far have been short sighted, for instance an underground car park to service the retail at the centre of the town and the local residence could easily be incorporated.
One Herbert Grove Resident believes that the software used for design by RSL has no capacity to include topography and any underground development.

Comment

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 758

Received: 10/08/2010

Respondent: Burges Estate Residents Association

Representation Summary:

Page 51. I get no pleasure from reminding you that the square is within a conservation area and yet has been allowed to deteriorate to the degree it has. It is not acceptable to spend public money and then not look after what has been constructed. It leaves one sceptical of all the fine words in this and other documents about improving the appearance of Southend. If you do not have the money to maintain it don't do it! As to any new facilities I understood the swimming pool was very popular, centrally located, convenient for bus routes and for day trippers if the seaside weather is not so hot. A logical choice to enhance the areas vitality and viability.

Full text:

Key Challenges

1. Page 14/15. It is difficult to envisage Southend town centre as a major retail centre. The advent of Lakeside and Blue Water has sealed Southend's fate as a retail centre of choice for durable goods. This is unlikely to be reversed with Southend's anti-car transport policy, the cheap end shops catering for day trippers and the failure of the multi nationals to expand their ranges upwards. Perhaps it is only as a niche type shopping environment as the document suggests that the centre can survive. But the addition as proposed of more bulky food shops is not my idea of how the centre should perform nor in my opinion will it "enhance the town centre's appeal to the catchment population or visitors further afield".

2. Page 17. Para 3.24 makes passing reference to a new library. Where is this to be? What is wrong with the existing one? Is this a serious proposition?

3. Page 19. The summary of opportunities and constraints misses one major constraint and challenge and that is the inability or lack of resources to maintain that which exists. In the context of opportunities to enhance the High Street, improve landscaping, indeed a whole range of public infrastructure works, Southend is incapable of basic maintenance. Have a look at the new works to the seafront from the pier to the Kursaal. Already the new paving is stained, dirty and unattractive. The base of the pier bridge has weeds growing. Even the High Street paving is scruffy. There is no point in pursuing these opportunities for improvement unless and until the Council is able to demonstrate it has the resources and inclination to fund the whole life costs of projects.


Vision

4. Page 22 para 1. Whereas we need a wider range of shops to sustain Southend as a regional centre, I do not equate that with requiring more shopping floor space overall. The internet is taking its toll on High Streets and Southend is struggling to fill what is currently available.

5. para 8 seeks to make town centre living more appealing to families. That is always going to be difficult on a variety of levels. The noise, the lack of parking, the likely absence of homes with adequate private amenity space. This against a backdrop of wishing to increase the centre's vibrancy (i.e., noise).

Spatial Options

6. Page 25 et al. The three options as set out are not mutually exclusive but can be seen, especially in the current economic situation, as short, medium and long terms options and are therefore supportable.


City by the Sea

7. Page 35. Although in many respects the concept can be supported, there seems an obsession in trying to achieve links between the town centre and the seafront. Aside from day trippers it would useful to know whether you have survey information that large numbers of residents actually combine activities that feature both locations in a single trip. My experience is they do not.

The Victorias

8. Page 39. The leading land use identified is workspace. This expression is used to indicate small scale activities of a craft nature for example. I cannot believe it is intended not to retain or at least encourage some office development to remain albeit in a form which is sustainable in terms of its potential uses. I do not think this point is made sufficiently clear.

The High Street

9. Page 43.The High Street paving is not heavily patterned. What it is, is a disgrace! Poorly executed (not reasonably well) and poorly maintained subsequently. The materials used for the paving have lives of up to 30 years. It cannot be justified in spending money after just 7 years. Get the joints done between the granite setts, get a jet spray to clean the paving, rip out the weeds growing under the seats and continue with a proper maintenance schedule. It is noticeable that the new paving laid in front of the amusement arcades along the seafront is already heavily stained with food and drink and heaven knows what else. The High Street is a retail centre. People are concerned about the quality of the shops. Yes they care about the shopping environment and preferably an all weather experience but otherwise provided the paving under foot is level, even and clean, I don't think it is a major issue in peoples minds especially after five minutes it looks a mess! As for the proposal to increase the presence of motor vehicles the document does not make clear why this should occur. The idea of providing passive surveillance seems somewhat specious. So far as the options are concerned, the first of concentrating the retail activity in the two extremes is broadly the situation which is prevailing today. The danger is of the centre splitting in two.



Elmer Square

10. Page 49. It makes sense to see this area become the focus for education especially with the loss of half the multi-storey car park. However I am a little surprised to see mention of a library. Can it be? the current library in Victoria Ave. is outmoded, no longer viable? Surely it cannot be considered for replacement only on the basis of being a few hundred yards up the road? No justification is given for the replacement and on that basis it cannot be supported and in the context of severe restraint on public expenditure this issue needs to be rethought even in the longer term.

Warrior Square

11. Page 51. I get no pleasure from reminding you that the square is within a conservation area and yet has been allowed to deteriorate to the degree it has. It is not acceptable to spend public money and then not look after what has been constructed. It leaves one sceptical of all the fine words in this and other documents about improving the appearance of Southend. If you do not have the money to maintain it don't do it! As to any new facilities I understood the swimming pool was very popular, centrally located, convenient for bus routes and for day trippers if the seaside weather is not so hot. A logical choice to enhance the areas vitality and viability.

St Johns & Central Seafront

12. Page 57. Reference is made to "new provision for buses". What precisely does this mean? It is only within the past few years that new facilities were created. The regeneration of the Golden Mile should be achieved with minimal intervention. The continuity of the Golden Mile is a key component of its vitality, vibrancy and attraction and should be retained.

Development Management

13. Page 63 et al. The Development Management DPD should contain Policies covering all development together with the Core Strategy, SPD and Building Regs. should be adequate. The tendency to encourage mixed uses particularly in the central area must be exercised with care. We need to remind ourselves as to why zoning was introduced in the first place and avoid potential problems of incompatibility. On the question of sustainability and energy production little is said about the visual impact of local generation schemes. Conservation areas apart this is a significant visual factor and a fast increasing one. You cannot maximise travel choice (option box 20) by restricting parking spaces for residents and visitors. This will prove counter productive. Besides it is fundamentally wrong to discourage car usage by discouraging car ownership. Adopt option 20c. The development strategy on housing (option box 23) should aim to provide for sustainable communities by a mix of housing types. However the emphasis in the centre should be away from family housing which would be better provided in the surrounding neighbourhoods. Moreover that is likely to be the market orientated option. Sustainable communities are about providing a range of housing types and tenure within a neighbourhood. Raising thresholds, changing foci may have the effect of creating ghettoes. On balance option 25c is to be supported.

Comment

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 810

Received: 13/08/2010

Respondent: Conservation Association Westcliff Seaboard (CAWS)

Representation Summary:

The car Park tends to be a 'dead area', but the gardens are uplifting, perhaps a similar 'look' for the street on the other side (s), would transform that street. At the moment it is a car park, 'concrete' area. Certainly a green swathe with trees would make a difference.

Full text:

General Comments
A1) Unique Victorian and Edwardian streetscape and vistas - Need to be very carefully preserved - Both short views and long views - In the High Street, there are still some key well designed upper stories with features we will not see again.

A2) We believe that our 'lost community spirit in our towns and cities today is caused by a lack of identification with an area. Everything runs into everything else, except from wholly identifiable areas (e.g. Leigh-on-Sea, Milton). Identifying current 'community areas' and new ones and building their identities will, we believe lead individuals toward a closer community feeling and more mutual co-operation and interest.

A3) We do need to focus on the small design and 'bottom-up thinking', as well as on the 'grand designs'. It will be the availability of smaller, specialist shops and the uniqueness of their setting, which will distinguish Southend as a 'special shopping' centre, instead of just, another town centre.

A4) 'Tall' buildings are not necessarily the right approach to an iconic town centre. Visitors will not come to Southend to view the tall buildings, they will come to see 'something different' that they cannot find in Chelmsford, or Basildon, or Bluewater, etc. It's creating that 'special buzz' - Like the lanes in Brighton, or for new build - Gehry's unique buildings. The bland square-box glass designs just won't do it - Although excellent buildings with sea vistas just might.

Specific Comments
2.11 We believe that there is a great opportunity to revive Hamlet Court Road as a special shopping centre again. It has the character, but it is presently over-burdened with restaurants. A mixed use would enhance the whole Westcliff area.
2.14 We believe that this has been missing recently. Building which involve people inter-action (covered walkways, shops at street level) are vastly preferable to blank glass walls. Building like this - just fill the space - They don't offer new interesting space.
3.4 (See A1-A4 general comments above) Tall is not necessarily good - 'smart' is better.
3.10 'Bulky food outlets sounds like a recipe for disaster - Opportunities for smaller, distinct, specialist restaurants give us 'differentiation' - Otherwise we are in danger of creating 'Basildon-on-Sea'.
3.11 Southend should perhaps consider taking a development route which is focused on new high-tech opportunities (Nano technology, Green technology) linked into our educational future focus. This could act as a magnet for incoming investment, which can start on a small-scale and be housed in a new 'nursery' units in and around Southend Airport (and possibly on ex-military sites at Shoeburyness). It could also magnify the educational focus greatly.

(Obviously 3.15 supports this).

Option Box 1: 'Yes', although there is a great danger of buildings for buildings sake - Bulk outlets', Tall buildings, are a big red danger area.
Option Box 2: 'Yes', identification of micro-sites e.g: High Street opposite the Royals on the North to Alexander Road - This is a unique site forming a 'min-lanes' area - similar to Brighton. Another option is development of the Kursal as a 'Covent Garden type' mini centre, but it would need good strong links back to the High Street, or development of the 'Golden Mile' as retail/restaurants area. A diagonal road would also help if it stretched to the Kursal and opened up that vista, perhaps as a wide, stepped pedestrian avenue, with shops.
Option Box 3: 'Yes', bearing in mind 'micro planning' for people's enjoyment and 'bottom-up thinking' which meets 'top down thinking'.
Option Box 4: 'Yes', except I would add options under Employment and Offices to promote: Small combined shops, with workshop space behind the shops to encourage artisans to create, train and sell unique designs in Southend. Plus, also the creation of small design development workshops to enable small-scale advanced technology prototyping.
Option Box 5: No. This looks like the best option, provided it doesn't lead to 'meaningless' over-development. If a key focus is on 'new quarters' and centres of interest, without the 'soulless' blank walls (Glass or brick). The balance between 'city' and 'town' is 'interesting' and worrying - Expanding the feel of Southend, without losing its heart and integrity would seem to be a strong challenge.
6.15 We are against tall landmarks on the water's edge. This destroys the 'horizontal nature' of the coast and suggests a Costa- Del-Sol - type approach. A really awful example is the 'Nirvanha' building on the Western Esplanade, which has significantly downgraded the whole area and the long coastal views too.
Option Box 6: Maybe, or it could deliver 'Basildon-on-Sea' unless it is very well thought through as a quality, pedestrian experience.
Option Box 7: 7a
Option Box 8: 8a, 8b, 8d
Option Box 9: 9b
Option Box 10: 10a
Option Box 12: The car Park tends to be a 'dead area', but the gardens are uplifting, perhaps a similar 'look' for the street on the other side (s), would transform that street. At the moment it is a car park, 'concrete' area. Certainly a green swathe with trees would make a difference.
Option Box 13: The ideas here are good so long as a 'village' feel can be created with 'pedestrian scaled' buildings and squares - Sounds very good, as this area does have a 'down energy'.
Option Box 14: 14b
Option Box 15: This area requires great care in order to retain the best of its Victorian/Edwardian, even Georgian feel. Further development could possibly destroy its unique feel.
Option Box 16: 16a (i0, 16a (iv), 16e (Combination)
Option Box 17: 17a & 17b & 17c
Option Box 18: 18a, 18c, 18e
Option Box 19: 19b
Option Box 20: 20c, 20d, 20e
Option Box 21: 21a, 21b, 21c(iii)
Option Box 22: Yes
Option Box 23: 23a, 23b (Mixed Approach)
Option Box 24: 24b & 24c
Option 25: 25c
Option 26: Locally evaluated per area, as required
Option 27: 27b

Comment

Southend Central Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 860

Received: 13/08/2010

Respondent: South Westcliff Community Group (SWCG)

Representation Summary:

The car Park tends to be a 'dead area', but the gardens are uplifting, perhaps a similar 'look' for the street on the other side (s), would transform that street. At the moment it is a car park, 'concrete' area. Certainly a green swathe with trees would make a difference.

Full text:

General Comments
A1) Unique Victorian and Edwardian streetscape and vistas - Need to be very carefully preserved - Both short views and long views - In the High Street, there are still some key well designed upper stories with features we will not see again.

A2) We believe that our 'lost community spirit in our towns and cities today is caused by a lack of identification with an area. Everything runs into everything else, except from wholly identifiable areas (e.g. Leigh-on-Sea, Milton). Identifying current 'community areas' and new ones and building their identities will, we believe lead individuals toward a closer community feeling and more mutual co-operation and interest.

A3) We do need to focus on the small design and 'bottom-up thinking', as well as on the 'grand designs'. It will be the availability of smaller, specialist shops and the uniqueness of their setting, which will distinguish Southend as a 'special shopping' centre, instead of just, another town centre.

A4) 'Tall' buildings are not necessarily the right approach to an iconic town centre. Visitors will not come to Southend to view the tall buildings, they will come to see 'something different' that they cannot find in Chelmsford, or Basildon, or Bluewater, etc. It's creating that 'special buzz' - Like the lanes in Brighton, or for new build - Gehry's unique buildings. The bland square-box glass designs just won't do it - Although excellent buildings with sea vistas just might.

Specific Comments
2.11 We believe that there is a great opportunity to revive Hamlet Court Road as a special shopping centre again. It has the character, but it is presently over-burdened with restaurants. A mixed use would enhance the whole Westcliff area.
2.14 We believe that this has been missing recently. Building which involve people inter-action (covered walkways, shops at street level) are vastly preferable to blank glass walls. Building like this - just fill the space - They don't offer new interesting space.
3.4 (See A1-A4 general comments above) Tall is not necessarily good - 'smart' is better.
3.10 'Bulky food outlets sounds like a recipe for disaster - Opportunities for smaller, distinct, specialist restaurants give us 'differentiation' - Otherwise we are in danger of creating 'Basildon-on-Sea'.
3.11 Southend should perhaps consider taking a development route which is focused on new high-tech opportunities (Nano technology, Green technology) linked into our educational future focus. This could act as a magnet for incoming investment, which can start on a small-scale and be housed in a new 'nursery' units in and around Southend Airport (and possibly on ex-military sites at Shoeburyness). It could also magnify the educational focus greatly.

(Obviously 3.15 supports this).

Option Box 1: 'Yes', although there is a great danger of buildings for buildings sake - Bulk outlets', Tall buildings, are a big red danger area.
Option Box 2: 'Yes', identification of micro-sites e.g: High Street opposite the Royals on the North to Alexander Road - This is a unique site forming a 'min-lanes' area - similar to Brighton. Another option is development of the Kursal as a 'Covent Garden type' mini centre, but it would need good strong links back to the High Street, or development of the 'Golden Mile' as retail/restaurants area. A diagonal road would also help if it stretched to the Kursal and opened up that vista, perhaps as a wide, stepped pedestrian avenue, with shops.
Option Box 3: 'Yes', bearing in mind 'micro planning' for people's enjoyment and 'bottom-up thinking' which meets 'top down thinking'.
Option Box 4: 'Yes', except I would add options under Employment and Offices to promote: Small combined shops, with workshop space behind the shops to encourage artisans to create, train and sell unique designs in Southend. Plus, also the creation of small design development workshops to enable small-scale advanced technology prototyping.
Option Box 5: No. This looks like the best option, provided it doesn't lead to 'meaningless' over-development. If a key focus is on 'new quarters' and centres of interest, without the 'soulless' blank walls (Glass or brick). The balance between 'city' and 'town' is 'interesting' and worrying - Expanding the feel of Southend, without losing its heart and integrity would seem to be a strong challenge.
6.15 We are against tall landmarks on the water's edge. This destroys the 'horizontal nature' of the coast and suggests a Costa- Del-Sol - type approach. A really awful example is the 'Nirvanha' building on the Western Esplanade, which has significantly downgraded the whole area and the long coastal views too.
Option Box 6: Maybe, or it could deliver 'Basildon-on-Sea' unless it is very well thought through as a quality, pedestrian experience.
Option Box 7: 7a
Option Box 8: 8a, 8b, 8d
Option Box 9: 9b
Option Box 10: 10a
Option Box 12: The car Park tends to be a 'dead area', but the gardens are uplifting, perhaps a similar 'look' for the street on the other side (s), would transform that street. At the moment it is a car park, 'concrete' area. Certainly a green swathe with trees would make a difference.
Option Box 13: The ideas here are good so long as a 'village' feel can be created with 'pedestrian scaled' buildings and squares - Sounds very good, as this area does have a 'down energy'.
Option Box 14: 14b
Option Box 15: This area requires great care in order to retain the best of its Victorian/Edwardian, even Georgian feel. Further development could possibly destroy its unique feel.
Option Box 16: 16a (i0, 16a (iv), 16e (Combination)
Option Box 17: 17a & 17b & 17c
Option Box 18: 18a, 18c, 18e
Option Box 19: 19b
Option Box 20: 20c, 20d, 20e
Option Box 21: 21a, 21b, 21c(iii)
Option Box 22: Yes
Option Box 23: 23a, 23b (Mixed Approach)
Option Box 24: 24b & 24c
Option 25: 25c
Option 26: Locally evaluated per area, as required
Option 27: 27b