More flats for the town centre

APPLN. NO: 18/01873/PA3COU

Officer: Charlotte White 

 

Date Valid. 10 October 2018

CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING OFFICES (CLASS B1) TO 119 SELF CONTAINED FLATS (CLASS C3) (PRIOR APPROVAL)

9 ELMER APPROACH SOUTHEND-ON-SEA ESSEX

Taking conservation seriously

There are many conservation areas in Southend-on-Sea, five in Milton ward alone. We have a rich array of heritage assets, evident in the fact the borough ranks seventh in the heritage assets index out of 325 local authorities.

We get warm words from the ruling administration locally as regards to conservation, but this is not matched by action. Their commitment is best illustrated by missed working party meetings, and at one point over a year when the Conservation Working Party did not meet.

I do not doubt that many in the Council (both members and officers) care deeply that our heritage assets are preserved and enhanced, but I do not get a sense of any urgency in this. A rather limp approach to conservation threatens what we have.

The Conservative administration is still intent, for example, on building a monstrous museum in the cliffs at Westcliff-on-Sea not only spoiling a heritage asset, but also spoiling a beautiful green space. So much for doing something for the environment. (I still favour putting the museum in the High Street, maybe in the old BHS building).

I think we should be more gungho in our defence of the heritage assets that we have inherited. These assets (buildings, parks, etc) should not just have all the protection we can provide, we should also be promoting the town in this respect. Places like Bath and Brighton used their inheritance to sell the attractions of their towns.

We should also push to attract funding, we are a long way from getting anywhere the amount of money that other local authorities get.

Looking after our heritage does not mean ‘no change’. It does mean retaining the good, and ensuring all new developments are designed sympathetically as regards to its neighbours.

Let’s keep Southend beautiful, and let’s ensure that generations to come are not robbed by poor decisions taken today.

Community clear-up

Milton campaign meeting

Carl, Stephen, Paul and Cheryl

We have a pretty good team in Milton ward. In the eight years or so that I have been campaigning here our Labour presence has grown and grown and we can now boast the biggest Labour vote in the borough. This once safe Tory ward is now on the cusp of being a Labour stronghold. If things go to plan we should complete a hat-trick of Labour councillors. This could be tempting fate, and anything could happen between now and May, but things are looking good for Labour right across the borough. Failure in Milton will be very disappointing.

Labour Voice, Milton ward, Autumn 2018

Family fun event

Three more planning applications (yes, more flats)

APPLN. NO: 18/01333/FUL

Officer: Scott Davison

Date Valid. 23 August 2018

CHANGE OF USE OF GROUND FLOOR FROM RESTAURANT/CAFE (CLASS A3) TO

SHOP (CLASS A1) AND ONE SELF CONTAINED FLAT (CLASS C3), ALTER ELEVATIONS

128A HAMLET COURT ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA ESSEX

APPLN. NO: 18/01541/FUL

Officer: Abbie Greenwood

Date Valid. 10 August 2018

CONVERT FIRST FLOOR RESTAURANT (CLASS A3) TO 5 SELF CONTAINED FLATS

(CLASS C3) AND GYMNASIUM, ERECT ADDITIONAL FLOOR TO FORM THREE SELF-

CONTAINED FLATS WITH ASSOCIATED ROOF TERRACES, ERECT SECOND FLOOR

REAR EXTENSION, LAYOUT PARKING, REFUSE STORE TO REAR AND ALTER

ELEVATIONS

MAYAS RESTAURANT FIRST FLOOR 42 LONDON ROAD

APPLN. NO: 18/01548/FUL

Officer: Kara Elliott

Date Valid. 16 August 2018

ERECT ADDITIONAL FLOOR TO EXISTING FOUR STOREY BUILDING AND FORM TWO SELF CONTAINED FLATS

THE PLAZA ROYAL MEWS SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Another office to be converted into flats

APPLN. NO: 18/01616/PA3COU

Officer: Charlotte White

Date Valid. 28 August 2018

CHANGE OF USE OF FIRST FLOOR OFFICE (CLASS B1) TO THREE SELF-CONTAINED FLATS (CLASS C3)(PRIOR APPROVAL)(AMENDED PROPOSAL)

WARRIOR HOUSE 42 - 82 SOUTHCHURCH ROAD SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Stephen George for Milton

Stephen George with Cllr Julian Ware-Lane

53 year old Stephen George has been chosen by members to be Labour’s candidate in Milton ward for next May’s elections.

Stephen is married with one son.

Stephen is a real asset to the Milton Labour campaign team and brings much to the table. Stephen played an important role in helping Cllr Cheryl Nevin get re-elected earlier this year.

He has been a Labour Party member for over 35 years and previously served on Southend Council for 11 years. 

He has the experience, skills and knowledge to serve the people of Milton, a ward he once represented before taking a break from politics to marry and start a family.

Stephen was first elected in 1999 in Milton ward before subsequently representing Kursaal. He is a former Deputy Group Leader (and acting leader for three months owing to the ill health of the then leader).

“Like many I have been horrified by what has happened locally and nationally over the last eight years. Austerity and continuous budget cuts has resulted in severe problems in Southend and elsewhere. Amongst these are a housing crisis with a consequential increase in homelessness, an education crisis with growing class sizes, a policing crisis with rising levels of crime, and a health crisis with local hospital services under threat.”

Stephen hopes he can complete a Labour hat-trick in Milton by ousting an underperforming Conservative councillor.

Here be rats

I have had several reports of rats in Warrior Square. Apparently they can be quite brazen.

Whatever the merits of these little furry animals, they do spread germs. Having them around unfettered in a town centre public park is unacceptable. Warrior Square is used, often by youngsters and families, it is also home to a cafe.

Cafe customers must enjoy seeing wildlife whilst enjoying outdoor dining, yet cannot help but be appalled by the sight of vermin scurrying around them. As for users of the park, everyone is aware of the health threats posed by these animals.

Added to this I the sense of neglect and decay that the presence of rats convey.

The rats, I am told, nest in the bushes adjacent to Chichester Road and under the decking nearby.

I have asked the Council to look into this, although I understand that another victim of the draconian cuts is pest control.

I hope that public health does not suffer because of austerity.

Profusion, verdure across the town

Cllrs Nevin and Ware-Lane

Stephen George has been selected to contest Milton ward for Labour in next May's local elections. He will be seeking to unseat the underperforming Tory that currently has the seat

In other selections Charles Willis has been re-selected in Westborough, Maggie Kelly has been chosen in Kursaal (and will be looking to oust turncoat Judith McMahon). Ian Pope will have another crack at St Luke's.

Meanwhile, recent doorstep conversation topics include litter, drugs, rats and homelessness. The Labour vote appears as strong as ever, whereas Conservative votes seem flaky. It is looking good for Labour in Southend.

182 -184 STATION ROAD

APPLN. NO: 18/00863/FUL

Officer: Robert Lilburn

Date Valid. 23 July 2018

ERECT TWO STOREY DWELLINGHOUSE WITH JULIETTE BALCONY AND INCORPORATED GARAGE TO FRONT ON LAND REAR OF 182 - 184 STATION ROAD

182 -184 STATION ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA ESSEX

I have called this in to Developemnet Control.

Lurv HCR

Of course I love Hamlet Court Road. It is where my parents shopped, it is where I have spent many hours, it is where I shop, it is where I reside.

I have had some involvement in the Love campaign, as well as the proposed conservation status for the road. I also had a role in the HCRTA and the Christmas lights and other things they organised before that organisation withered and fell into stasis.

Anyway, I was pleased to support Love Hamlet Court Road yesterday, enjoying tea and toast in one of the excellent cafeterias therein.

Planning [3]

APPLN. NO: 18/01122/FUL

Officer: Abbie Greenwood

Date Valid. 12 June 201

CHANGE OF USE FROM SHOP (CLASS A1) TO RESTAURANT (CLASS A3) AND INSTALL EXTRACTION VENT TO REAR

MARINER HOUSE 157 HIGH STREET SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

APPLN. NO: 18/01142/FUL

Officer: Kara Elliott

Date Valid. 13 June 2018

CHANGE OF USE OF FIRST FLOOR SOCIAL CLUB (CLASS D1) TO FORM 5 SELF CONTAINED FLATS (CLASS C3) WITH JULIET BALCONIES, ERECT ADDITIONAL FLOOR TO FORM 4 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS (CLASS C3) WITH TERRACES/PRIVACY

SCREENS AND PROVIDE SECURE CYCLE PARKING AND REFUSE STORAGE

1B QUEENS ROAD SOUTHEND-ON-SEA ESSEX

APPLN. NO: 18/00924/FUL

Officer: Kara Elliott

Date Valid. 22 June 2018

CHANGE OF USE FROM HOT FOOD TAKEAWAY (CLASS A5) TO DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT/RESTAURANTS/CAFES (CLASS A4/A3) AND ERECT SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION

58 MILTON ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA ESSEX

Community meeting at The Forum

It would be a nice change to find a Tory who does actually work hard for Milton ward

If you remember when Milton ward had three ineffective Tory councilors, and you enjoyed those days when the ward was largely overlooked and ignored, then I guess Garry will get your vote.

 
If you prefer councilors who engage with residents, and are a big voice for the ward then Cheryl Nevin will get your vote