FAQs
The Need for Development
Southend-on-Sea City Council must deliver a significant number of new homes to meet the borough’s identified housing needs. According to the Government’s Standard Method for calculating the number of required new homes, there is a need for 23,600 new homes in Southend over the next 20 years. The Council has identified the capacity to deliver approximately 9,500 homes within Southend’s existing urban area, outside the Green Belt, by 2040. This leaves a shortfall of more than 14,000 homes, creating a deficit that would worsen the harmful impact of the ongoing housing crisis.
© JTP and Craig Auckland, Fotohaus
Are the proposals part of the proposed New Town?
No – while our emerging proposal has safeguarded various elements, to ensure it can integrate into any wider development, Bournes Green is not being brought forward as part of any New Town proposal. Instead, it is being brought forward as a standalone development which means the new homes at Bournes Green will directly contribute to Southend’s identified housing need, helping to address the significant shortfall in new homes.
Why are you building on Green Belt land?
Southend-on-Sea City Council is considering the designation of land North of Bournes Green Chase for sustainable green belt land release to allow for the delivery of much needed homes in the area. The site is being formally considered for development under the emerging Local Plan, which will plan for the future of development in Southend until 2040.
Release of the site for development is compliant with policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2024), which states that changes to the green belt boundaries may be made in “exceptional circumstances” such as “instances where an authority cannot meet its identified need for homes.”
How long will construction take?
It is expected that the development would be completed on a phased basis over a 15 year period.