Campaigners unite at key meeting to resist New Town Plans
A public meeting at St Augustine’s Church Hall in Thorpe Bay marked a powerful moment of unity for residents from across Southend, as the fight against controversial new town proposals continued to grow.
The hall was filled with people from the east of Southend, who gathered to share stories, facts, and plans for opposing a proposal to build 10,000 homes at Bournes Green, which, they say, threatens the heart and soul of their communities.
Kim Hall, Chair of Thorpe Bay Residents’ Association, said:
“We were joined by residents from across the east, from the Kursaal area through to Rochford. There are a few meetings I’ve been to where you leave feeling genuinely rejuvenated and inspired, and that was one of them.”
Passion, Facts and a Plan
The evening opened with a heartfelt address from The Oracle’s Managing Director, Emma Wynne-Morgan, who spoke movingly about her love for Southend and her deep roots in the town. Her words struck a chord with attendees, many of whom have lived in the area for generations.
Peter Lovett, from Shoebury Residents’ Association, shared some hard-hitting facts about how often money has been wasted on developments across the city. A lifelong Southend resident, his insight underscored the importance of accountability.
Campaigners outlined a clear two-pronged plan of action: fighting the New Towns Taskforce submission and preparing a co-ordinated response to the upcoming Southend Local Plan consultation.
The evening produced a wide range of grassroots proposals, many of which will be published online, including:
- Buying shares in Bellway to hold the developer accountable via proxy votes
- Investigating the legal basis of Southend City Council’s New Towns submission
- Using AI tools and planning expertise to analyse the Local Plan and support residents’ responses
- Collecting biodiversity evidence to challenge claims the land is “bio-dead”
- Crowdfunding legal and campaign resources
- Mobilising for the July council meeting and hosting a “Local Plan surgery” to empower wider participation
Residents also called for estate agent-style posters, business engagement, and more targeted awareness events, alongside a potential second meeting on Southend’s water infrastructure, another growing concern.
Rochford Council pulls support
Friday’s meeting followed a wave of growing public opposition, including a protest earlier this month at Bournes Green, where demonstrators held banners reading “Protect Bournes Green” and “No New Town Here.”
And in a major political development, Rochford District Council has formally withdrawn its support for the joint New Towns Taskforce bid submitted with Southend City Council.
At a meeting on 11 June, Rochford councillors voted to pull out of the proposal after learning that any new town would be in addition to, not instead of, existing housing targets, a detail campaigners say was never clearly communicated to the public.
“It’s important we don’t support excessive development beyond what is required locally,” said Councillor Simon Wootton, Chair of Rochford’s Planning Policy Committee. “We’re taking a clear position and listening to our residents.”