Question Stadium update please!

[Cockle43]

As a local authority worker, I can say that scoping requests and Environmental Impact Assessments can take a while.

However, once scoping is done, it shouldn't be far off a final decision. A lot of big decisions tend to pivot on the environmental impact so let's cross our fingers.

Southend Council are just as desperate as most councils when it comes to housing, so as long as the environmental impact isn't substantial, I think they'll pass the plans to boost their housing stock.

Issued today in the Delegated and Committee Weekly Decision List:-

APPLN. NO: 20/01261/RSO Ward. St Lukes

Officer: Charlotte Galforg Applicant: Mary Power

RELOCATION OF SOUTHEND UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB, PHASED DEVELOPMENT OF

NEW STADIUM, HOTEL, OFFICES, RESIDENTIAL, SOCCER DOMES AND PLAYER

ACCOMMODATION, OUTLINE RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH

ASSOCIATED PARKING AND LANDSCAPING ON LAND NORTH OF EASTERN AVENUE

(AT FOSSETTS FARM AND SOUTHEND UNITED FC TRAINING GROUND) (REQUEST FOR

SCOPING OPINION)

PART OF FOSSETTS FARM PLAYING FIELDS AND JONES MEMORIAL REC GRD AND

SUFC TRAINING GRD EASTERN AVENUE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Decision: Scoping/Screening Opinion Issued Date Decision Issued: 22nd October 2020

Decision Type: Delegated Decision DC Committee Date (if applicable):



So it is still moving forward.

All we can hope for is that there will still be a club to play in it...

 

[hlane17]

Issued today in the Delegated and Committee Weekly Decision List:-

APPLN. NO: 20/01261/RSO Ward. St Lukes

Officer: Charlotte Galforg Applicant: Mary Power

RELOCATION OF SOUTHEND UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB, PHASED DEVELOPMENT OF

NEW STADIUM, HOTEL, OFFICES, RESIDENTIAL, SOCCER DOMES AND PLAYER

ACCOMMODATION, OUTLINE RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH

ASSOCIATED PARKING AND LANDSCAPING ON LAND NORTH OF EASTERN AVENUE

(AT FOSSETTS FARM AND SOUTHEND UNITED FC TRAINING GROUND) (REQUEST FOR

SCOPING OPINION)

PART OF FOSSETTS FARM PLAYING FIELDS AND JONES MEMORIAL REC GRD AND

SUFC TRAINING GRD EASTERN AVENUE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Decision: Scoping/Screening Opinion Issued Date Decision Issued: 22nd October 2020

Decision Type: Delegated Decision DC Committee Date (if applicable):



So it is still moving forward.

All we can hope for is that there will still be a club to play in it...

This indicates to me that an officer has provided delegated authority. Doesn't indicate what exactly for though but it could be good news regarding scoping. Have you got a link to the page?

 

[londonblue]

This indicates to me that an officer has provided delegated authority. Doesn't indicate what exactly for though but it could be good news regarding scoping. Have you got a link to the page?

Click here

The next DCC meeting is on the 4th November at 5.00pm. The agenda hasn't been published yet.

 

[hlane17]

Click here

The next DCC meeting is on the 4th November at 5.00pm. The agenda hasn't been published yet.

Well if the scoping opinion was issued on the 22nd October, hopefully it comes to DCC on the 4th.

 

[londonblue]

Well if the scoping opinion was issued on the 22nd October, hopefully it comes to DCC on the 4th.

I take your word for that. I have no idea how the process works.

Quick question though, what is a scoping opinion given that (ASAIA) the new plans haven't been submitted? On that basis it seems the scoping opinion is just around what they want to see in the planning application. Would that be accurate, or am I way off the mark?

 

[Medway Blue]

Well if the scoping opinion was issued on the 22nd October, hopefully it comes to DCC on the 4th.

I believe RM's target date is for the plans to be discussed at the November or December meeting. Hope was for scoping opinion mid-October, EIA a week-10 days after that, and then the old application swapped out and the new one swapped in in the first week of November. Means that 4th November DCC Meeting is possible but could be very tight and move onto December.

 

[hlane17]

I take your word for that. I have no idea how the process works.

Quick question though, what is a scoping opinion given that (ASAIA) the new plans haven't been submitted? On that basis it seems the scoping opinion is just around what they want to see in the planning application. Would that be accurate, or am I way off the mark?

You're somewhat correct. It's essentially an environmental/local impact review of what is being planned. For example, Southend has lots of traffic as it is, so that might be a big deciding factor.

I think we can all agree that the housing boost will outweigh the issues and concerns in this scoping and I expect this to go through considering it would boost the local housing quota massively.

 

[londonblue]

You're somewhat correct. It's essentially an environmental/local impact review of what is being planned. For example, Southend has lots of traffic as it is, so that might be a big deciding factor.

I think we can all agree that the housing boost will outweigh the issues and concerns in this scoping and I expect this to go through considering it would boost the local housing quota massively.

So is it effectively telling SUFC what to include in the application to address any environmental concerns?

If that is the case, one hopes SUFC will already have most of that to hand since this isn't the 1st time they've been down this route. Any gaps (which there almost certainly will be given previous applications were for retail not residential which should - amongst other things - change dramatically the traffic flow in the area) will hopefully have been pre-empted, at least to some extent. That should mean that SUFC should, if they've been sensible, be able to put that together pretty quickly.

The problem is that to do this quickly they will have to have actually been proactive for a change.

 

[Fred]

The councils scoping response is on the planning portal. Looking at the summary, my initial thought is that it won’t be up for discussion by the DCC on November 4th or possibly December. I hope I’m wrong. Any thoughts hlane17??

 

[hlane17]

The councils scoping response is on the planning portal. Looking at the summary, my initial thought is that it won’t be up for discussion by the DCC on November 4th or possibly December. I hope I’m wrong. Any thoughts hlane17??

If you link it to me I can have a read. Is it not so promising?

 

[Fred]

Copied and pasted this.

Summary and Recommendations

The scoping submission has been reviewed and following submission of further information it is considered that the information provided by the applicant presents a complete account of information to enable the LPA form a scoping opinion.

The submitted scoping report on the whole sets out the likely environmental effects of the proposed development and determines the scope of the future assessment for the EIA in many instances. The report is clear in its explanation of the process to be undertaken. The scoping report clearly identifies a number of the issues that need to be considered within the Environmental Statement, however there are some important omissions including those highlighted in consultation responses from responding agencies which have been replicated in full within this scoping opinion. Although this response should be read as a whole, in summary, the Local Planning Authority conclude that the following alterations and amendments are made.

Recommendations

1.Clear signposting in introductory chapters of all environmental information within the ES relating to climate change in relation to the principles of the England Biodiversity Strategy (Defra) Following revised submissions the applicant the applicant has now proposed to scope in Sustainability and Energy to the ES. The proposed scope for this chapter includes reference to climate change effects, however it is still considered that a signposting approach would be useful to include in the introductory chapters due to the overlap with other technical chapters.

2.Assessment of the number of car parking spaces proposed within the transport chapter. Reference is made in the revised report however it is considered that this should remain a requirement for the ES.

3.Clear and detailed explanation of the methodology used for the transport assessment This remains a requirement for the ES chapter.

4.Assessment of the impact on National Trails, access land, public open land, rights of way and coastal access routes in the vicinity of the development within the transport chapter. Page 17 of 17 Revisions include reference to assessment of walking and cycling conditions, however the recommendation to assess these specific routes/paths still remains.

5.The LVIA should include maps of details of local landscape character areas

6.The archaeology and cultural assets chapter should include identification of appropriate mitigation measures for the construction phase, assessment of views from the monument to north and north-east, and an archaeological site evaluation should be undertaken It is not specifically clarified that this is intended to be included in the ES chapter and assessment, therefore this recommendation remains relevant.

7.The socio-economics chapter should assess whether the amount of public open space, town squares, parks, play provision and structural landscape is sufficient and whether it is usable It is not specifically clarified in the revised submission that this is intended to be included in the ES chapter and assessment, therefore this recommendation remains relevant.

8.Use of diagrams/maps within the ES chapters to illustrate the location of the receptors in relation to the proposed development.

9.An ecology and biodiversity chapter is considered necessary to scope in consideration of the Natural England comments and likely impact on European designated sites. The ecology chapter should assess biodiversity net gain; impact on wildlife connectivity; impacts on European designated sites (including the sites within the Essex Coast RAMS) and identification of appropriate mitigation measures; and internationally and nationally designated sites, SSSIs and sites of European or international importance, Regionally and locally important sites, Protected Species, Habitats and species of principal importance.

Ecology and Biodiversity is now scoped into the ES and information is provided on the scope of the chapter. The proposed scope in the revised report generally covers the recommendations made by Natural England (however not all). Therefore, it is considered that this recommendation remains relevant in order to ensure the assessment covers all relevant areas and receptors. Further discussion with Natural England is recommended.

It will be important to ensure that, in taking the EIA process through to the completion of the Environmental Statement, the information contained within the Scoping Report is accurately reflected within the main text of the Environmental Statement. Under the 2017 EIA Regulations the Scoping Opinion issues by the Council is binding to the applicant.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Southend United FC | Southend United Football Club

The official website of Southend United FC

www.southendunited.co.uk

Update on official site this evening.

Not sure exactly what it means. But thought it could be significant enough to be on the main forum.

 

[Supershrimper]

Nice update a couple of quotes from Ron's son Jack. I'd sooner some news on clearance of the embargo so we can register Hart and Akinola

 

[bazzashrimper]

Nothing really about the stadium itself. How many stands / seats etc. On the face of it, great news though

 

[Medway Blue]

Sounds to me like final exchange of contracts between club, council and Citizen next week; swapping out of old application and swapping in of new one before end of November; and then final approval at December's Development Control Meeting which should be a formality since the plans have been recommended for approval anyway.

 

[Special Blue]

The last bit for me is reasurring as that's how I understood it should be but wasn't confident!
If the new ground went tits up at least we would still have somewhere to play.
I guess and pray these covenants are not easy to get round?

 

[Mick]

Nice update a couple of quotes from Ron's son Jack. I'd sooner some news on clearance of the embargo so we can register Hart and Akinola

"Citizen Housing LLP specialises in partnering with both the public sector and landowners to deliver housing-led regeneration schemes. "

That's the aim for sure but to suggest they are specialists, having only been incorporated less than 2 years and yet to file any accounts, seems to be over-egging it to me. I wish them well in their aims.

 

[WESTY_SUFC]

Havent we been making 'excellent progress' for years? I'd love to know what a lack of progress is.

We're closer to going out of business than building a new stadium.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

Since when have the council supported or had the interests of the football club!!
Pure and simple the council have got what they wanted.
Housing targets met,Seaway development and run down High Street has no competition.
Trouble is its come at a time when Southend might have the best 3 sided stadium in non league football to match the state of a poor rundown town

 

[Shrimper]

Inb4 pushed to January