West Leigh Residents Association

1578 London Road

Leigh-on-Sea

Essex

SS9 2QR

26 February 2007

Head of Planning

Department of Enterprise, Tourism and the Environment

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue

Southend-on-Sea

Essex SS2 6ER

Dear Sir,

Planning Application: 151 Vardon Drive, Leigh-on-Sea – SOS/07/00155/FUL

On behalf of my Association I would like to raise our strong objection to the proposed development at 151 Vardon Drive, Leigh-on-Sea. Our reasons for objection are as follows:-

1. Over-development. The proposal to turn a two-bedroom bungalow into very large four-bedroom house represents a significant over-development of the site. Developers are continually taking small properties, demolishing them and replacing them with the largest building they can cram in the space. Such over-development is having an incrementally damaging impact as the relatively open and green feel of our neighbourhood and townscape is increasingly being lost to larger and wider buildings. This proposal is yet another example of this practice.

2. Loss of a small dwelling. The loss of the existing bungalow and its replacement by this large house would mean that yet another small dwelling is lost. To ensure that the town can accommodate a mix of family sizes and types, it is vitally important that smaller dwellings are retained. In this regard this application is contrary to Policy H3 of the Borough Local Plan

3. Detrimental to street scene. The proposed house, filling as it would virtually the whole of the plot frontage, would cause a terracing effect which would seriously damage the appearance of the area. It is important that sufficient isolation between properties is retained wherever possible in order to maintain the openness of the existing townscape. In this regard this application is contrary to Policy C11 of the Borough Local Plan. The proposed front dormers are also out of keeping with the neighbouring properties; such dormers have been rejected by Southend Council in the past as being detrimental to the street scene.

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