At a Glance
- Southend Council refused Thorpe Estates’ application for 2,000 homes north of Bournes Green Chase.
- Campaign fundraising quickly reached its £1,500 target to support awareness activities.
- MP Bayo Alaba supports the Council’s refusal and will raise concerns with government ministers.
- Ongoing challenges remain from Bellway’s proposals and potential appeals.
- The campaign urges exploring brownfield sites and protecting remaining countryside.
Green Belt Update
Save Southend Green Belt thanks local residents for their support. Southend Council’s refusal of Thorpe Estates’ application for up to 2,000 homes north of Bournes Green Chase is an important milestone. However, it does not mean this land is permanently protected from development.
Our fundraising campaign reached its £1,500 target in just five days. This response demonstrates the strength of local feeling and will help fund leaflets, public meetings, publicity and other campaign activities. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Your Continued Support Matters!
Please do not assume the campaign is over. Keep informed, share our updates and encourage friends and neighbours to get involved. Your continued support will help us maintain a community voice as proposals develop and decisions are made. Every informed resident strengthens our ability to ask questions, challenge unsupported claims and press for better decisions.
MP Backs Council’s Refusal
On 16 October, Bayo Alaba MP met a delegation from our committee for a constructive discussion about housing, infrastructure and the future of Southend’s countryside. He confirmed that he agrees with the Council’s refusal of the Thorpe Estates application.
We discussed the need for a robust Local Plan that reflects Southend’s constraints as a peninsula, the pressures on roads and healthcare, and the importance of protecting productive farmland. We also highlighted the historic character of the landscape, documented in research commissioned by the Council.
Taking Concerns to Government
Bayo committed to raising our concerns with a senior planning minister. We have also asked him to help secure a meeting between the campaign and ministers, although this has not yet been arranged. We welcome his willingness to continue the conversation.
Homes Without Losing Countryside
Southend needs genuinely affordable homes, particularly social housing, alongside adequate roads, healthcare, schools, drainage and other essential infrastructure. Brownfield opportunities must be fully examined, and the permanent loss of countryside must never be treated as the easy answer.
Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. Thorpe Estates can still appeal against refusal. Bellway’s proposals threaten neighbouring Green Belt land, while the emerging Local Plan could shape the future of Southend’s countryside for decades.
Visit savesouthendgreenbelt.co.uk for more information.
By Glen Ward
Save Southend Green Belt
Email: enquiries@savesouthendgreenbelt.co.uk