At a Glance
- Campaign to protect Southend’s Green Belt continues after nine months
- Strong public support, petitions, meetings and new community groups formed
- Concerns over plans for up to 24,000 new homes and impact on Green Belt land
- Debate around “Grey Belt” and government housing targets
- Queensway underpass closure causing disruption and criticism
- Residents urged to vote in upcoming local elections
It’s been nine months since we launched a campaign to save Southend’s Green Belt and wrote in the Oracle about plans to build on land north of Bournes Green Chase (opposite the Angel Inn).
I approached all political parties and residents’ associations for support. Residents responded enthusiastically, and following that article set up their own group, South East Essex Green Belters, linking up neighbourhoods across south east Essex. This broader group has built a much stronger voice than a handful of councillors alone. Thank you.
We created the largest online petition ever in Southend, held public meetings and attended rallies. Rochford District Council changed Administration and the new Conservative leader withdrew support for a New Town development …the site was not selected as a Government-preferred location.
Yet developers are now submitting plans for thousands of homes across several sites, including major proposals north of Bournes Green Chase.
Current situation
The local plan is being developed this year. It’s vital we reject any plan committing to the Government’s target of around 24,000 new homes for Southend (with 40% of those allocated to “future immigration projections”. I will oppose anything exceeding roughly 8,000 extra homes – and insist none of them are built on Green Belt land.
Is it really Green Belt?
A Southend and Rochford Joint Green Belt Study in November 2024 confirmed this land is predominantly Grade 1 best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land. However, the Government’s updated National Planning Policy Framework introduces “Grey Belt” designations and allows Green Belt boundary changes in “exceptional circumstances”. “Housing needs” qualifies as an exceptional circumstance. The Government’s assessed need is 24,000 homes for Southend and 15,000 for Rochford. Meeting these without Green Belt release appears impossible. So….you can work it out.
The risk
Supporters of large developments argue that if the council doesn’t decide where homes go, the Government and developers will go. If we don’t build on the Green Belt, the Government will build on the greenbelt. I say it’s all nuts!…. let them try. I suspect this Government won’t continue, and forcing unpopular decisions now would punish the residents who elected them. Yes, you elected them.
Public meeting
By now we will have held, a community meeting (27th March) with the Shadow Minister of State for Housing and Planning. He outlined how he’s holding the Government accountable over plans to concrete over the Green Belt, and gave support to our campaign.
Queensway underpass
I must take this opportunity to highlight the chaos that has occurred due to the permanent Queensway underpass closure. Businesses are already suffering lost trade and time, while residents and visitors endure long detours and gridlock…then the sun will shine and…again, you can work it out!
This is all happening using taxpayers money given to the Council to enable highway upgrades, supposedly supporting future housing development. Yet there are no firm plans or developers committed for Queensway regeneration. We’re spending around £21 million of public money to replace a functional road with a worse one, which will tie the hands and hamper the plans of any future development project.
I’ve requested that an emergency plan is put in place to ease the pain that is coming our way.
My solution?
I would upgrade the Queensway underpass (which was built in the 1970’s to “alleviate traffic congestion due to increased car ownership”). But then, I’m not an expert urban planner. If Green Belt plans are nuts, the words to describe the Queensway changes would be edited out by Emma…but I’m sure that you can also fill in this gap. N.B. There are twice the number of cars in 2026 v 1970.
What can you do?
The local elections are on 7th May. I’m not allowed to endorse candidates in this article, but some candidates have supported the current administration, while others oppose it. Vote for those you believe are sensible and prioritise residents’ needs, and weed out the indi vidual candidates, that say one thing and then do another once elected.
If you don’t vote, please don’t complain about the chaos later!
by Cllr James Moyies
Conservative Councillor for West Shoebury.
cllrjamesmoyies@southend.gov.uk
Promoted by James Moyies on behalf of Candidates that are opposed to building on the greenbelt and the Southend East and Rochford Conservative Association, PO Box 6225, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 9GP.