This month, Cllr James Moyies shares important news: Southend Borough Council has submitted plans to the New Towns Taskforce for a new town of 10,000 homes – to be built on green belt land. Shockingly, this was done without public consultation. If you’d like to learn more and voice your opposition, don’t miss the article and petition on page 10.

On a more positive note, Southend’s conservation areas are set for a long-awaited revival thanks to local donations and National Heritage Lottery funding – something residents have hoped for since the railings were needed to support the war effort during WWII.

Don’t forget to enter our May competition, sponsored by Golf.one, Thorpe Bay Broadway! You could win a monthly, Gold membership worth £180, includes 10 x one-hour sessions, 8 guest passes, discounts, and more. Open to over 18’s only. Visit oraclepublications.co.uk to enter. Closes 31 May.

Enjoy the issue.