West Leigh Residents Association

1578 London Road

Leigh-on-Sea

Essex

SS9 2QR

13 December 2007

Director of Enterprise, Tourism and the Environment

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex SS2 6ZF

Dear Sir

Planning Application: Highlands Court, London Road, Leigh-on-Sea - SOS 07/1686/FUL

On behalf of my Association I would like to raise our strong objection to the proposed development at Highlands Court. Our reasons for objection are as follows:-

1. Inappropriate positioning. The block of flats, by reason of its proximity to the bordering properties in Stirling Avenue and Bailey Road, would be intrusive and over-dominant to the neighbouring residents.

2. Loss of amenity to neighbouring properties. The height, bulk and positioning of the block would negatively impact the neighbouring properties by causing over-shadowing, loss privacy and perceived loss of privacy.

3. Inadequate amenity space. The amenity space provided falls short of recommendations especially as only balconies are provided for the upper apartments.

4. Impact on natural habitats. The proximity of the access road to the rear gardens of Stirling Avenue would seriously impact the badger set established in the rear of nos. 12 & 16 Stirling Avenue. The area is also a wildlife “reserve” and “green lung” unique in this part of the town. It is populated by a range of bird species and a variety of established trees and plants. Such areas are in scarce supply in our town and should be protected wherever possible. The existing trees also provide a noise reduction barrier to local residents reducing the impact of the traffic moving along the London Road.

5. Proximity of car parking spaces to Bailey Road. The proposed car parking spaces will run along the rear boundary of the gardens in Bailey Road and as a consequence will cause noise disturbance and will be detrimental to the air quality of the immediate neighbours.

6. Additional planning proposals for the site. The applicant in para 2.2 of the Design and Access Statement refers to further proposals for expanding the existing blocks. It is therefore premature to determine the current application before these other proposals have been submitted as these additional proposals may materially impact on the current scheme.

7. Overloading existing infrastructure. The addition of yet more flats in Leigh would have a detriment effect to the local community by reason of increased traffic, increased demands for school places, increased numbers at local doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries and an increased load on our already overloaded drainage and waste disposal facilities. Southend Borough is well ahead of its targets for new dwellings and until such time as the infrastructure and job market have improved in line with the Core Strategy such expansion must be avoided.

8. Poor mix of properties. Should new dwellings be added to the local building stock, what are required are small family dwellings with private gardens, not more flats. The Core Strategy has stipulated that the town should have an appropriate mix of property types. This proposals goes against this requirement.

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

Yours sincerely,

E. G. Cornish (Eddie)

Chairman, West Leigh Residents Association