Demanding New Infrastructure - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Demanding New Infrastructure – SOUTHEND’s Labour Councillors have announced their intention to fight Reform and Conservative councillors over, what the Labour councillors say was their ‘collusion to take away Southend’s voice’ in demanding new infrastructure as part of the national mission to deliver 1.5m new homes.

Demanding New Infrastructure – SOUTHEND’s Labour Councillors have announced their intention to fight Reform and Conservative councillors over, what the Labour councillors say was their ‘collusion to take away Southend’s voice’ in demanding new infrastructure as part of the national mission to deliver 1.5m new homes.

SOUTHEND’s Labour Councillors have announced their intention to fight Reform and Conservative councillors over, what the Labour councillors say, was their ‘collusion to take away Southend’s voice’ in demanding new infrastructure as part of the national mission to deliver 1.5m new homes.

A press release issued by Southend’s Labour councillors said: “In 2018, the Conservative administration at Southend Council, put a submission into the then Conservative government to create a new ‘Garden Community’ of thousands of homes on Bournes Green with little mention of the need for new infrastructure.

“In December 2024, the new joint administration at Southend Council, alongside Rochford District Council and Essex County Council, sent an expression of interest to the government’s ‘New Towns Initiative Taskforce’ to replace the Conservative submission and to put a critical emphasis on the need for new infrastructure.

“The need for new homes in Southend is clear, with over 1500 homes on the council’s housing waiting list and many more trying to get on it. However, Southend also needs new roads, new medical facilities, new schools, and more availability of GP and dental services.

“The new expression of interest was ‘infrastructure-led’ meaning that Southend is asking that these issues are addressed before new housing is developed or, at a minimum, alongside new development.

“Reform and Conservative councillors at Southend-on-Sea City Council have now put in a motion to council asking that the letter asking for new infrastructure be withdrawn but that it does not predetermine future planning applications for this site.

“This means that developers could still apply for, and receive, planning permission for thousands of homes on this site without providing new infrastructure.”

Coun Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, said: “The Reform and the Conservative Party in Southend have colluded to sell out Southend and withdraw Southend’s demand for new infrastructure.

“We need new roads, new schools, medical facilities, a new hospital, and more. Our expression of interest for the New Towns Initiative was designed to demand Southend gets new infrastructure before new large-scale housing.

“The Tories and Reform have colluded to withdraw that demand, but still leave the land open to development. Under their plans, private developers could still develop the land, but not put the infrastructure in.

“They’re not on the side of local people who need homes and new infrastructure, they’re clearly on the side of greedy developers who want to pack ‘em and stack ‘em – they should be ashamed of themselves.

“We won’t stand for Southend losing its voice or withdraw demands for new infrastructure.”

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