News In Brief

Leigh Barclays Hub

LEIGH Community Centre is home to a Barclays Bank hub on a Wednesday.

Based in the Community Centre at 71-73 Elm Road, the service sees a Barclays colleague at eh centre every Wednesday from 9am-5pm.
Barclays stated: “At the location, although we won’t be able to take any cash or cheques (there are various other options for this, for example, Post Office, Barclays App and more) – the colleague will be able to help with account queries, digital demonstrations and financial reviews.”

 

Constituency shake-up sees Leigh recognised

LEIGH is being recognised following a Boundary Commission decision, honouring Leigh’s historic role in the city.

The seat for Southend West will be called Southend West and Leigh, in a move that has brough relief to Conservative party members, after initial –and widely unpopular –plans to make Southend West a more marginal seat, was axed.

Conservative party members have expressed relief following the news that the proposed change has been reversed.

The Boundary commission’s initial report proposed moving three Labour-leaning city centre wards Milton, Victoria, Kursaall into Southend West, potentially removing its status as a safe seat for the Tories.

Now, the other man change will be that Saint Luke’s Ward will move from the current Rochford and Southend East constituency to the new Southend West and Leigh constituency.

Anna Firth, Tory MP for Southend West, commented: “I am delighted to see that the Boundary Commission listen to the voices of the hundreds of residents who wrote into protest the former proposals.

“I am delighted that the constituency will rename retain the name of Southend West.

“The recognition of Leigh in the name will also be very much appreciated by residents. I welcome the addition of St. Lukes ward.”

Aston Line, Labour councillor for Westborough Ward said: “I was born in Leigh, I was raised here, I live here and I work here. So, I’m delighted that Leigh will no longer be just a suburb of Southend.”

As a result of the Commission, Roche North and Rural ward is now incorporated into the new seat of Southend East and Rochford.

“Sir James Duddridge MP for Rochford and Southend East added: “for the residents of Southend, I welcome that the Boundary Commission has maintained the clear distinction between Southend East and Southend West and for recognising Southend’s city status.”

Nationwide, the Commission’s changes will see the number of Parliamentary seats in England increase from 533 to 543.

 

Children’s home set for approval

PLANS for a new children’s home in Westcliff have been recommended for planning permission approval.

Applicants applied to turn a semidetached three-story home at 24 Cobham Road into a home for six children aged between five and 18.

The home would cater for children with emotional behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities, and would provide 24-hour day care with a minimum of two staff on shift at any one time during the day and one member of staff on shift overnight.

Previous planning applications for the same site have been refused, including a residential care home in a 10-bedroom HMO.

Four letters of objection were received by the council with concerns including the loss of a family home and possible antisocial behaviour.

Letters of support for the project said there was a need for children’s homes in Southend that cater for local children, and commented on the “lovely setting” near the sea that the home would afford the children.

Southend development control committee will discuss the plans and make a final decision.

 

 

Appeal

AN appeal has been lodged against Southend Council’s decision to refuse permission for a development in home Leigh.

Applicants applied for planning permission at 1305 London Road.

This was an application to vary conditions form a previous application, conceding the noise from plant and equipment including extract ventilation.

This amendment was refused because the planning department said the conditions would not reasonably identity and mitigate adverse impacts regard to noise and vibration impacts of the extract flue and duct on nearby residential occupiers

Southend Council will get the final say on the applicant’s appeal.

 

Appeal

AN appeal has been lodged against Southend Council’s decision to refuse permission for a development in home Leigh.

Applicants applied for planning permission to erect a first-floor front and side extension at 138 Station Road.

They also applied to convert the garage into habitable accommodation and alter front elevations of the garage.

The development was dismissed due to the fact that it would be incongruous with the existing building, “by reason of its prominent position, forward

siting, incongruous form and detailed design.”

Planning officers added: “This would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the host property, the street scene and the area more widely.”

Southend Council will get the final say on the applicant’s appeal.

 

 

Read more.

Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighonsea.news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighonsea.news

Contact us. Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news/contact-us

Twitter: @leighonsea_news