Southend residents are being urged to pay attention—and take action—following a controversial proposal that could see additional 10,000 homes built on protected Green Belt land north of Bournes Green Chase, on top of the 23,000 homes that Southend has already agreed to.
In December 2024, Southend’s Labour-led administration and Rochford’s Lib Dem-led Council submitted a proposal to the Government’s New Towns Taskforce. If approved, this could lead to a new town of 30,000 people and up to 20,000 additional cars in an area already suffering from congestion and stretched public services.
Unanimously Rejected – Then Approved Anyway?
Shockingly, this proposal was made one day after Southend Council passed a unanimous motion to protect the Green Belt. According to West Shoebury Councillor James Moyies, the decision was made without public consultation, transparency, or council papers. This has raised serious concerns about backdoor politics and the silencing of community voices.
“This would forever change the character of our city,” said Cllr Moyies. “The Wakerings would be swallowed up. Southend’s distinct communities would vanish into urban sprawl. It’s unsustainable and unnecessary.”
What’s at Stake?
- The Green Belt between Southend and Great Wakering
- The pressure on schools, health services, and roads
- The identity and independence of villages like Great and Little Wakering
- A future where no protected space is truly safe
And yet, despite the scale of the threat only 639 people have signed so far, the official petition closes on 13th May! That’s a tiny fraction of Southend’s population.
Do people really not care? Or do they just not know?
Sign the Petition – It Takes Less Than a Minute
If you care about Southend’s future, this is the time to act. Councillors from across the political spectrum are now calling for an extraordinary council meeting and a full investigation into how this proposal came about. But without public support, this may not be enough.
Let your voice be heard. Sign the official petition now