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: The Crooked Billet, 51 High Street, Leigh-on-Sea - SOS 07/1718/FUL

On behalf of my Association I would again like to raise our objections to the proposed development alongside the Osborne’s restaurant in the Old Town, Leigh-on-Sea.

We think it deplorable that public open space should be fenced off for private use and therefore denied to the general public. This area is a popular public seating area providing valuable views across the estuary. Such public open space is of a premium in the Old Town and should on NO account be given away for the benefit a private company.

Not only is this open space used by individuals, it is also used by the festivals for which Old Leigh is famous: Leigh Regatta, Leigh Folk Festival being prominent among them. What guarantees are there that the owners will take away the fencing prior to these events taking place?

To deny this space to the general public would seriously damage the amenities available to the local community.

I would be grateful that my comments into account when considering this planning application.

Yours sincerely,

E. G. Cornish (Eddie)

Chairman, West Leigh Residents Association