Craylands, Old Vienna, Kursaal and other south Essex eyesores

From a major shopping centre redevelopment with hundreds of homes left uncompleted to Southend’s iconic Kursaal standing empty for years, we have compiled a list of the most notorious sites in the area.

Fed up residents have been calling for action from developers and landowners. Which do you think is the worst in our list?

Kursaal 

Calls have continued mounting for the iconic Southend Kursaal to be put back into use, as it has sat empty for years.

The 120-year-old building was one of the world’s first purpose-built amusement parks and has one tenant, Tesco Express, after The Rendezvous casino closed more than two years ago.

Paul Collins, Lib Dem councillor responsible for asset management and inward investment, told the Echo: “We know how well loved the Kursaal is with our residents and we remain in touch with the agent and the leaseholder AEW to stay informed about their options for the building.

“The council would love to see them bring forward plans which see investment in the building and enable it to become a great asset to our city again.”

Fisherman's Wharf

Works on a Southend seafront fish restaurant are facing further delays more than four years after the project began.

Plans for the rebuild of Fisherman’s Wharf was agreed in 2015 and work began on the site in 2018.

Paul Greenward, 42, from Southend, said: “It looks terrible and we all want to see the restaurant come back as it was so popular.

“I can’t understand how it’s been left like this for so long now. I feel sad to see it in this state and also it doesn’t help the look of this part of the seafront.”

Last September bosses said ground works were almost complete and works would resume when funding was agreed.

The restaurant owners and agents for the plans have been contacted for comment.

Craylands, Basildon

A housing estate with “rotting” derelict homes looks “dreadful”, say angry residents.

Swan Housing is developing the Craylands Estate, with dozens of homes still unfinished and derelict. Kevin Wright, 41, from Basildon, said: “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life, it’s a disgrace.

“People living in the newer homes next to this mess must be very unhappy. There’s a housing shortage and dozens here are rotting and it looks dreadful.

“I can’t get my head around how they’ve done half a job and left lots of the homes undeveloped.”

A Swan Housing spokesman said: “There have been delays on the delivery of some elements of our Beechwood Village scheme, a transformation of the Craylands Estate.

“Swan remains committed to delivering much needed new homes.

“Extra security was introduced to the site last summer to help address these issues.”

Laindon Centre

Fed up residents fear major plans to redevelop a former shopping centre may never be completed.

Swan Housing is behind plans at the Laindon Centre project – which has been more than two decades in the making – is taking longer than expected, and designs are being “reviewed”.

Proposals include a 224- home development, which will be built alongside a new Lidl, 16 shops, and a medical centre.

Maureen Tilley, 61, from Laindon previously told the Echo: “It’s a total mess and there’s no communication from the Swan. The longer it goes on the less faith I have in it actually happening.”

A spokesman for Swan said: “We are continuing to progress our review of the Laindon regeneration scheme. We understand that the delays are disappointing for the community and are committed to providing an update as soon as we can.”

Former Southend cinema site

Residents are demanding the former Empire Theatre site in Alexandra Street, Southend, which has been left derelict and empty for years, be developed.

The building was previously used as ABC cinema before being taken over by the New Empire Theatre Company in 2008.

Residents have previously told the Echo the eyesore building "brings down the whole area" and has so much potential.

Plans were previously discussed for homes and shops but nothing has materialised. By 2016, the building had become run down and its roof collapsed, destroying part of the first floor.

Which do you think is the worst eyesore site in south Essex?

We've chosen the most notorious "eyesore" sites in our area for our poll below. Pick which you think is the worst...

Is there an eyesore building you think should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below.