New Stadium Plans being submitted Friday 28th April 2017

[londonblue]

I have heard that submission of the plans has been delayed until next Tuesday because the glue used to attach the glitter has not yet dried.

Typical of SUFC. I despair, I really do.

That said, what's your source, and can this revelation be corroborated? Because, woe betide you if it can't. I'll be shooting the messenger...

 

[mrsblue]

No I'm urging people to get behind the plan by taking action and not just sitting back assuming it will be passed.

Just because the plan has become bigger doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing anyway. The town has stagnated for a long time now. Housing is desperately needed, and relying on the High Street for retail is living in the past. My main concern is the pressure on the road network but I hope the development will in turn prompt improvements to the surrounding roads.

My view on this is there is much more going on in the background than people think. I wouldn't be surprised if the council and BL/Ron have been holding informal talks for months to ensure they are all on the right page before any application is submitted. The council would have given a view on what they might be willing to accept and what is beyond the pale.

I understand all of that.....but as you state will the road network cope?...if the High St dies then how will folk who cannot drive do their shopping...will there be enough school places to cater for extra people? And so on.

I repeat it won't effect me in the slightest and I don't care if it's twice the size....others might mind so we cannot shout them down ,just my view.

 

[Jai]

I think they'd be mad not to. That doesn't mean it will definitely be passed though. They will almost certainly have met with the planning officials (whatever they're called) and they may well recommend the council approve the scheme. However, that doesn't mean that the elected councillors (some of whom represent the people of St. Lukes etc that will be affected by the scheme) will accept the recommendation. There will inevitably be some objections which may well lead to an amendment or two.

Spot on. Many a planning application has been recommended for approval by officers only for councillors to veto it at committee level. That's why we need to demonstrate the strength of support.

 

[Jai]

I understand all of that.....but as you state will the road network cope?...if the High St dies then how will folk who cannot drive do their shopping...will there be enough school places to cater for extra people? And so on.

I repeat it won't effect me in the slightest and I don't care if it's twice the size....others might mind so we cannot shout them down ,just my view.

There are actually three access points to the development. Sutton Road, Fossetts Way and the main A1159 which is the road that Priory Crescent leads into and is what is naturally a concern for people. We have to wait and see what kind of Section 106 agreements the council insist on (that's basically an agreement by the developer to pay for some improvements to something impacted by the application, eg local roads).

The entrance to the actual stadium as I understand it will be to the north of the development, so actually the road chaos leading from the stadium won't be as bad as is being made out in my view. I suspect a lot of people will head away from the ground north along Sutton Road although most will head west along the A1159. There will be bad traffic going away from the ground at 5pm but that's pretty much the case around Roots Hall (which is in a far more built up area) now.

Hopefully there will be initiatives to encourage sustainable transport, a station shuttle bus etc and also plenty of options for people wanting to stay on site for a bit to let the crowds die down(!). But yes the roads are a concern for people and understandably so. I think the devil will be in the detail with regards to the road access points and how the A1159 is managed.

The High Street won't die. It's the main throughfare from Southend Victoria/Central stations to the seafront for a kick off. It needs to evolve and it has done for years, it is far too eerie at night and needs more of a night-time economy. I think the High Street will change, but it won't die. Plus the kind of retail unit on FF will be the sort not necessarily suited to a High Street unit where floorspace is severely limited.

 

[IloveShrimp]

Spot on. Many a planning application has been recommended for approval by officers only for councillors to veto it at committee level. That's why we need to demonstrate the strength of support.

Exactly this happened to me when I wanted to build my own house a few years ago (Basildon Council).

 

[Jai]

Southend is a town of almost 200,000 people, not to mention the surrounding area is also heavily populated. It can sustain a High Street and a significant retail/entertainment park.

 

[rigsby]

Southend is a town of almost 200,000 people, not to mention the surrounding area is also heavily populated. It can sustain a High Street and a significant retail/entertainment park.

Don't forget Southend has always relied on day trippers and shoppers from the surrounding towns. It should always evolve to attract the next generation. At the moment the High street is an embarrassment that half of its own residents avoid like the plague, let alone the residents of Rayleigh etc. Forcing it to change will actually prove to be greatly beneficial in the long run.

 

[Sussex Shrimper]

Don't forget Southend has always relied on day trippers and shoppers from the surrounding towns. It should always evolve to attract the next generation. At the moment the High street is an embarrassment that half of its own residents avoid like the plague, let alone the residents of Rayleigh etc. Forcing it to change will actually prove to be greatly beneficial in the long run.

Out of interest, and with apologies for going off at a bit of a tangent, do you believe that this development is the big anouncement we were told to expect from Ron or do you still anticipate further big news this summer?

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

Did anyone moan about the high street when the airport retail was built?

 

[southendkid]

if the High St dies then how will folk who cannot drive do their shopping...

There are two train stations within walking distance of the high street, it seems very unlikely the high street will die, if it did though train travel seems a reasonable alternative to driving. Online shopping is what's killing high streets, not Southend United moving grounds.

 

[Leoblue]

Does anyone know if the first stage will be 3 sided?

 

[Mick]

The High Street won't die. It's the main throughfare from Southend Victoria/Central stations to the seafront for a kick off. It needs to evolve and it has done for years, it is far too eerie at night and needs more of a night-time economy. I think the High Street will change, but it won't die. Plus the kind of retail unit on FF will be the sort not necessarily suited to a High Street unit where floorspace is severely limited.

Given the state of many people in the High Street area at night, you could argue it needs less of a night-time economy !

You are right though, I can see the biggest stumbling block agreeing and paying for a Section 106 agreement.

 

[Jai]

Does anyone know if the first stage will be 3 sided?

I am not sure if the phased development is still planned, but if it is then it has been speculated that a hotel provider (Hilton) is already on board, which if true will provided the funding needed to build the 4th side at the same time anyway.

More will become clear when the planning application is available to view of course.

 

[Jai]

Given the state of many people in the High Street area at night, you could argue it needs less of a night-time economy !

You are right though, I can see the biggest stumbling block agreeing and paying for a Section 106 agreement.

Yes, I believe this was a problem in the past - an agreement was supposedly reached for money to offset supposed damage to the High Street, but it was never signed, either because the money ran out or because by that point the plans needed to be revamped anyway.

 

[Firestorm]

Did anyone moan about the high street when the airport retail was built?

There would not have been any point, its a different council (the Airports in Rochford)

 

[rigsby]

Out of interest, and with apologies for going off at a bit of a tangent, do you believe that this development is the big anouncement we were told to expect from Ron or do you still anticipate further big news this summer?

Yes I think this was the big news that was originally going to be announced at the end of season dinner on Sunday evening. You didn't exactly have to be Sherlock Holmes to guess what it would be, unless of course Ron will be unveiling our new big signing for next season. By that I mean in the one position we have clearly lacked for a number of months...Head groundsman.

 

[mfurok]

Does anyone know if the first stage will be 3 sided?

Yes it will be.

 

[Leoblue]

I am not sure if the phased development is still planned, but if it is then it has been speculated that a hotel provider (Hilton) is already on board, which if true will provided the funding needed to build the 4th side at the same time anyway.

More will become clear when the planning application is available to view of course.

Thanks Jai..... I did read someone mentioned Hilton Hotels. They're a big chain in the hotel market and we do need more (good) hotels in the area. Fingers crossed.

 

[Mick]

Exactly this happened to me when I wanted to build my own house a few years ago (Basildon Council).

If you'd included a fourth wall you might have got away with it.

 

[Leoblue]

Yes it will be.

Do you know this for sure?