West Leigh Residents Association

1578 London Road

Leigh-on-Sea

Essex

SS9 2QR

14 August 2006

Mr D. Watts,

Director of Technical Services

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex SS2 6ER

Dear Mr Watts,

Planning Application: 1379-1387 London Road – SOS/06/00928/FUL

On behalf of my Association I would like to raise our strong objection to the proposed development at 1379-1387 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea. Our reasons for objection are as follows:-

1. Over-development. The height and bulk of the proposed building would be a serious over-development of the site and would dominate the neighbouring properties. In addition to the four storeys, the structures on top of the roof will also add significantly to the building’s negative and dominating appearance. Its close proximity to the pavement would also mean that it would have a particularly intrusive and damaging impact on the street scene.

2. Insufficient amenity space. The amenity space provided is insufficient for the number of flats and is in contravention of Borough guidelines. Indeed the only amenity space would appear to be the balconies which overlook West Leigh Junior School playground; the direct views into the children’s playground is in itself a matter of serious concern. There would also be no open space around the building thus increasing the intrusive impact the building would have. The proposal would make a totally negative contribution to the street scene.

3. Insufficient car parking provision. The car parking spaces available would be barely adequate for the accommodation provided. In an area of severe parking stress the inadequate parking provision will have serious detrimental affect on local residents.

4. Overloading local infrastructure. This area of Southend has suffered particularly badly from new flat construction. Public services, doctors, schools etc are becoming increasingly overloaded and this development would compound the problem.

5. Poor design. Leigh has suffered from a number of poorly designed developments in recent years; this proposal would seem to be the worst yet. Its mixture of bland design, unbroken façade and unsympathetic appearance would be detrimental to the area, particularly at such a prominent site.

I would be grateful if you would inform the Development Control Committee of our objection to this planning application.

Yours sincerely,

E. G. Cornish (Eddie)

Chairman, West Leigh Residents Association