Browsing: Local Issues

Concerns have been raised over proposals that could see Southchurch Library close and services moved elsewhere. Questions have been asked about repair costs, council priorities, and whether maintaining existing buildings would be a better option than replacing them.

At a Glance Since the first Water Quality Summit in April 2022, the conversation around Southend’s waterways has broadened significantly.…

At a Glance It has been several years since I last wrote for Oracle, and in that time our shoreline…

At a Glance Dirty Business and the Reality of Britain’s Water Crisis! We watched The Channel 4 docudrama “Dirty Business”…

Residents in Leigh and Hadleigh continue their determined fight to protect Greenbelt land, urging the Salvation Army to rule out development on the historic Hadleigh Farmland and calling for a clear public decision that reflects strong local opposition.

Concerns have been raised over Southend Council’s Councillor Declaration of Interest procedures, with claims that missing and incomplete forms undermine transparency compared to neighbouring councils. The article questions whether weaker safeguards leave the authority exposed to conflicts of interest and calls for stronger accountability measures.

A decade-long delay has left Rochford District exposed, with residents now being asked to judge a Local Plan without vital evidence and with long-term consequences for communities and the Green Belt.

Concerns are growing across Rochford District as residents react to the scale of proposed housing developments that could see large areas of Green Belt released for construction. With missing evidence and mounting pressure from government, communities are calling for transparency and a balanced, evidence-based approach to planning.

Cllr Julie Gooding explains why Rochford District Council cannot deliver infrastructure before development and calls on agencies like the NHS to unlock over £1 million in held funds to support vital community services.

Queensway has been central to Southend’s most ambitious regeneration project for over a decade. From big promises in 2015 to the underpass removal starting in 2025, the scheme has faced rising costs, failed partnerships, and divided opinion about its future.