For many years, I’ve consistently campaigned against any suggestion, no matter how vague or informal, that Southend’s Green Belt land north of Bournes Green Chase should be developed.
That’s why I was astounded to learn that 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 to build 10,000 homes on this very land.
Massive Impact Predicted
Let’s be clear, this isn’t just a few hundred houses tucked away in a corner. We’re talking about a potential influx of at least 30,000 people and up to 20,000 extra vehicles in an area that’s already congested and struggling to cope with the current population. The consequences for our infrastructure, environment, and quality of life would be catastrophic.While the idea of building new towns may work in areas with space and connectivity, Southend is quite literally at the end of the line. Geographically, we’re locked in by the estuary and the sea. Cramming a new town into this corner of Essex makes no strategic or practical sense.
Council Decision Ignored
What makes this situation even more astonishing is that this proposal was submitted just one day after a Full Council meeting unanimously passed a motion urging the leadership to consider not designating this Green Belt land for development. That’s right, unanimous agreement across party lines, and yet the very next day, a formal proposal was sent to central government offering the land up for a New Town.The residents of our city have made their views clear time and time again. We don’t want to see Southend expanded to absorb Great Wakering and beyond. We value our distinct communities, our green spaces, and the balance that makes this part of Essex such a desirable place to live. Our schools, health services, and roads are already under pressure. Adding tens of thousands of new residents would push everything to breaking point.
Community Voices Overlooked
And let’s not forget: the people of Great Wakering don’t want to be merged into Southend either. But once again, it feels like the Councils aren’t listening.This isn’t the first time this land has been in the crosshairs. Back in 2018, an expression of interest was quietly submitted to build on the land north of Bournes Green Chase. At the time, it appears no councillors were informed, a troubling sign of decision-making behind closed doors.
Fast forward to December 2024, and a full proposal has now been made to the New Towns Taskforce, again, without any debate or transparency. There were no council papers, no public discussions, no scrutiny by elected representatives. This is not how key decisions of this magnitude should be made.
Urgent Action Demanded
The Taskforce is expected to report to government ministers by July 2025, which means time is short.That’s why I, along with a cross-party group of local councillors (Conservative, Reform and non-aligned), have called for an extraordinary meeting of the council. We’ve submitted a motion requesting a full investigation into both the 2018 and 2024 decisions and are demanding that Southend withdraw its support for this proposal immediately.
Let’s put the scale of this into perspective: Southend has a housing target of 23,000 new homes by 2040. Rochford’s target is 15,000. Yet a minister has confirmed that the 10,000 homes proposed for this Green Belt site would be in addition to those targets. Southend currently has around 80,000 homes. Adding another 48,000 or more across Southend and Rochford means increasing housing stock by more than 50% by 2050. That is simply unsustainable.
Protect Our Green Belt
If this plan goes ahead, it will change the character of our city and surrounding villages forever. The Wakerings, Great and Little, will be swallowed up. And once this piece of Green Belt falls, no space will be safe, from Hadleigh to Barling.We must act now!
Our campaign website, saveourgreenbelt.org, includes a link to sign the official petition that was set up by Councillor Cox. Only this official petition can be formally presented to the Council, other electronic petitions do not count, so please use the correct one.
Citywide Concern Raised
We are also reaching out to all councillors across the city. This is not just a Shoebury or Wakering issue, it affects all of us. Every corner of Southend will feel the impact if this goes ahead.
Please sign the petition:
Help us protect the Green Belt for future generations.
saveourgreenbelt.org
by Cllr James Moyies
West Shoebury Councillor
Cllrjamesmoyies@southend.gov.uk