Request support for Southend-on-Sea

We're not currently able to provide detailed weekly summaries for Southend-on-Sea Council. We need support from the council to:

  • Ensure we can reliably access and process council meeting information
  • Cover the costs of processing and summarizing council data
  • Maintain and improve the service for residents

You can help make this happen!

Contact your councillors to let them know you want Southend-on-Sea Council to support Open Council Network. This will help ensure residents can stay informed about council decisions and activities.

If you represent a council or business, or would be willing to donate to support this service, please contact us at community@opencouncil.network.

Development Control Committee - Wednesday, 29th May, 2024 2.00 pm

May 29, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting Watch video of meeting
AI Generated

Summary

The meeting primarily focused on various planning applications and enforcement actions within Southend-on-Sea. Key topics included the approval of new housing developments, the conversion of existing properties, and enforcement actions against unauthorized changes.

Affordable Housing Development in Bradford Bury

The council discussed a proposal to build two affordable social housing units in Bradford Bury. The existing garages on the site are underutilized and unsuitable for modern cars. The new houses would provide much-needed affordable housing and improve local character. Despite objections from residents about parking stress, the council found the proposal acceptable and policy compliant. The motion to approve the development was deferred due to discrepancies about the usage of the existing garages.

Development on Lee Hill

A proposal to rebuild and refurbish a partially demolished terrace on Lee Hill was discussed. The new design aims to enhance the Lee Conservation Area and the setting of a nearby Grade 2 listed building. Concerns were raised about the impact on the listed building and the stability of the ground. The council decided to approve the development, subject to conditions addressing land stability.

HMO Conversion on Kilworth Avenue

The council reviewed a proposal to convert a six-bedroom HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) into an eight-bedroom HMO. Concerns were raised about overdevelopment and parking stress. The council approved the conversion, subject to conditions limiting occupancy and requiring landscaping improvements.

Enforcement Actions

Several enforcement actions were discussed, including:

  • Albion Road: Unauthorized rear extension causing loss of light and outlook for neighbors. The council authorized enforcement action with a three-month compliance period.
  • Manchester Drive: Unauthorized roof extensions causing harm to the character of the area and privacy issues. The council authorized enforcement action with a three-month compliance period.
  • Pavilion Drive: Unauthorized use of an outbuilding as a self-contained dwelling. The council authorized enforcement action with a three-month compliance period.
  • West Road: Unauthorized conversion of a shop to a dwelling, harming the primary shopping area. The council authorized enforcement action with a three-month compliance period.
  • Westcliff Park Drive: Unauthorized use of a dwelling as a circumcision clinic. The council authorized enforcement action with a one-month compliance period due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Overall, the council focused on balancing the need for new housing and community facilities with the preservation of local character and residential amenity.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Fay Evans
Councillor Fay Evans  Conservative Party •  West Leigh Ward
Profile image for Councillor Martin Berry
Councillor Martin Berry  Non-Aligned •  St Lukes Ward
Profile image for Councillor Margaret Borton
Councillor Margaret Borton  Labour Party •  Victoria Ward
Profile image for Councillor Alan Dear
Councillor Alan Dear  Conservative Party •  Belfairs Ward
Profile image for Councillor Matt Dent
Councillor Matt Dent  Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Business •  Labour & Co-operative Party •  Kursaal Ward
Profile image for Councillor Nigel Folkard
Councillor Nigel Folkard  Deputy Mayor •  Conservative Party •  Chalkwell Ward
Profile image for Councillor John Harland
Councillor John Harland  Conservative Party •  West Shoebury Ward
Profile image for Councillor Anne Jones
Councillor Anne Jones  Deputy Leader - Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing •  Labour Party •  Westborough Ward
Kevin Waters
Charlotte Galforg
Patrick Keyes
Spyridon Mouratidis
Charlotte White
Martin Warren
Tim Row
Profile image for Councillor Sam Allen
Councillor Sam Allen  Labour Party •  Milton Ward
Profile image for Councillor Kevin Buck
Councillor Kevin Buck  Conservative Party •  Prittlewell Ward
Profile image for Councillor Laurie Burton
Councillor Laurie Burton  Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, and SEND •  Labour Party •  Blenheim Park Ward
Profile image for Councillor Paul Collins
Councillor Paul Collins  Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets, Investments and Public Transport - Liberal Democrat Group Leader •  Liberal Democrats •  Eastwood Park Ward
Profile image for Councillor David Garston
Councillor David Garston  Conservative Party •  Prittlewell Ward
Profile image for Councillor Stephen Habermel
Councillor Stephen Habermel  Conservative Party •  Chalkwell Ward
Profile image for Councillor Stuart Allen
Councillor Stuart Allen  Green Party •  Leigh Ward
Profile image for Councillor Stephen Aylen
Councillor Stephen Aylen  Non-Aligned •  Belfairs Ward
Abbie Greenwood
Andrew Brown
Profile image for Councillor Dave Poulton
Councillor Dave Poulton  Liberal Democrats •  Eastwood Park Ward
Profile image for Councillor Nick Ward
Councillor Nick Ward  Independent •  Shoeburyness Ward
Profile image for Councillor Carole Mulroney
Councillor Carole Mulroney  Liberal Democrats •  Leigh Ward
Profile image for Councillor Maxine Sadza
Councillor Maxine Sadza  Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities •  Labour Party •  Milton Ward
Profile image for Councillor Richard Longstaff
Councillor Richard Longstaff  Green Party •  Leigh Ward
Profile image for Councillor Jane Norman
Councillor Jane Norman  Labour Party •  St Lukes Ward
Profile image for Councillor Donna Richardson
Councillor Donna Richardson  Labour & Co-operative Party •  Blenheim Park Ward
Profile image for Councillor Ron Woodley
Councillor Ron Woodley  Mayor •  Independent •  Thorpe Ward

Meeting Documents