Southend seafront Cornucopia plans refused and Wendy's approved

Businessman John Remblance, who also owns a number of the city's seafront arcades, had unveiled plans to turn the Cornucopia, on Marine Parade, into a takeaway after claiming it is no longer viable as a pub and was making a “significant loss”.

However, plans had been refused by Southend Council earlier this month over concerns it could cause harm to the character and appearance of the building – despite Mr Remblance promising to leave the outside of the pub untouched.

Here's six other plans received and decided on in March 2024:

 Applications received

1. The Cliff, 48 Hamlet Road

Amended plans to redevelop the iconic Westcliff pub The Cliff into new flats had been submitted in early March.

Initial plans submitted last summer were refused by the council.

Now amended proposals have been lodged with Southend Council for a change of use, creating three flats and a house.

The plans had sparked fears the venue could close at some point. However, applications for planning applications do not necessarily mean the proposal will ultimately be carried out.

2. 199 - 203 High Street, Southend

The former Southend High Street Post Office (Image: Newsquest)

The High Street's former Post Office could be transformed into an up-and-coming coffee shop under these fresh plans.

Black Sheep Coffee, a growing chain with almost 100 sites nationwide, has submitted a planning application to replace the signs and open for business in the old Post Office.

The space has been empty for seven years after the Post Office closed its doors in March 2017 and moved into the WH Smith 30 metres away, in an effort to slash costs.

3. 107-109 High Street, Southend

The British Heart Foundation has submitted two planning applications to take over the former Job Centre site at 107-109 High Street.

The High Street job centre, which was set up in the wake of the pandemic, shut its doors in July last year.

The new planning applications are for signs as well as refurbishment of the doors and paint work.

The charity already has a store in Southend, which is located at 13 High Street.

This current site is much smaller than the proposed one at the former vacant Job Centre unit, near KFC.

4. 135 Marine Parade, Leigh

Developer P and PR Property Developments have submitted scaled back plans to replace the home believed to have “once been the home of Dame Vera Lynn” with four flats after having a previous bid to build seven apartments rejected.

Two prior applications to demolish the home, by separate developers, have been rejected by Southend Council.

The large home is thought to have once been owned by the late English singer and entertainer, fondly known as “the Forces’ Sweetheart”.

Applications approved

1. 297 London Road, Westcliff

A new Domino's takeaway will open in the former Army and Navy store as plans have been given the go ahead.

The takeaway will operate between 11am and 11pm, and create a number of full-time and part-time jobs in the area. 

The majority of the shopfront will be retained but painted dark grey to match the chain's branding.

Two objections were raised by neighbours over concerns including access, noise and parking. These were noted by the planning officer, but were not considered "justifiable reasons for refusal".

2. 66-68 High Street, Southend

Signs for a new branch of Wendy's is set to open in Southend High Street. (Image: Southend Council)American burger giant Wendy's is set to open in Southend High Street, replacing the former Ponden Home interiors store, as plans for signage have been approved.

The shop has been empty for four years and the plans to open a new restaurant in the vacant site have been welcomed.

It will open just four doors away from McDonald’s in Southend High Street, and join a growing number of cafes, bars and restaurants in the city centre including Plan Burrito, Taco Bell, Wagamama and Wingstop.

The fast food chain boasts hundreds of restaurants across America but just dozens in the UK, with these plans approved just weeks after a bid for another Wendy’s at Basildon's Festival Leisure Park was given the green light.