This is briefly what happened at the District Council’s Development Control meeting last Thursday:
1) The site of the old petrol station on the corner of Eastwood Road and Queens Road, Rayleigh. The application to demolish the existing buildings on site and build a car wash and motor accessories shop was withdrawn by the applicants. So no decision was taken.
2) Relocation of the Southend United Football Club and development of a 22000 seater stadium plus retail, residential, associated car parking and access works.
The District Council discussed this application for about half an hour. We weren’t making a decision on it , because the site is in Southend. Most councillors were enthusiastic about the idea – especially Councillor Michael Starke – but most of us also had concerns about such issues as traffic. Best moment of the night was when Cllr Starke said that Southend would never be another Man Utd – to which he got a loud response of “No, Better” from assorted councillors.
3) Demolish a car dealership in Southend Road, Great Wakering and build 9 houses and 15 flats. This was refused in line with officers recommendations.
4) Change of use of part of existing allotments to outdoor sports and playing field for Great Wakering Football Club. This scheme was passed.
5) 30 Hockley Road, Rayleigh – an application to knock down one bungalow and build 20 flats. Tory Councillor Mavis Webster spoke against this application, saying it was overdevelopment. The scheme was refused, despite misgivings from council officers. The 4 Lib Dem councillors voted with her for refusal. A few Tory councillors abstained, and one voted against refusal.
Councillors were particularly concerned about the effect of nearby Millfield Close. Mind you, some of us felt that Mrs Webster was going over the top a bit when she said that this development would cause of “life of misery” for local residents. It would be bad for them , but a life of misery?