Browsing: Local News

Southend-on-Sea will come together this November for its annual Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service on 8 November, followed by Armistice Day commemorations on 11 November. Residents, veterans and visitors are invited to honour the fallen and pay tribute to those who serve.

Southend’s Christmas in the City returns on Saturday 14 November, bringing festive markets, live entertainment and family fun to the High Street before the Christmas Lights Switch On at 6pm and a seafront fireworks display at 7.30pm.

Southend Council refused a major development on Bournes Green but the fight to protect the Green Belt continues. Residents are urged to understand proposals, voice concerns, and spread awareness about the lasting impact of such developments.

Rochford District is experiencing increased large-scale housing developments, prompting residents to form organised groups that use technology and evidence to engage with planning processes and influence decisions more effectively.

Southend faces increased housing demand and must balance sustainable growth with protecting the Green Belt. The article advocates infrastructure-led planning and prioritising brownfield sites for genuinely affordable housing across a constrained coastal city.

Southend faces infrastructure pressure from plans for 2,000 new homes at Bournes Green. Congestion, overcrowded schools, and stretched services highlight the need for infrastructure-led growth to sustain the city’s future.

Whether you already use the bus, are thinking about using it more often or have questions about local services, Southend-on-Sea City Council is inviting you to a free High Street event where you can speak directly to local operators and transport representatives.

The campaign to protect Southend’s Green Belt has forced a pause on the draft Local Plan. After a contentious planning application was rejected, community pressure and cross-party support continue the fight to safeguard this vital green space.

A significant bitumen spill in the River Thames at Gravesend resulted in sticky black tar deposits on beaches from Canvey to Clacton, highlighting issues of pollution travel, transparency, and calls for independent water testing.

A Southend family faced an 11-month wait for a dementia care reassessment, during which care needs increased significantly but funding did not keep pace, exposing serious issues with unpaid carers and a failing support system.