WORK has started on a controversial scheme for 210 homes on flood-prone land in Shoebury which would involve lorries carrying thousands of loads of earth through the city.
Bellway Homes has confirmed work is underway on the Barge Pier Road site, with diggers on site to prepare and stabilise the ground ahead of it being built up.
The scheme, which was feared to have stalled after Southend Council refused to lower the requirement for affordable homes from 30 per cent to 10 per cent earlier this month, aims to deliver “much-needed homes”.
Despite fears from residents and councillors over an increased flooding risk due to the location, Bellway has also claimed the scheme will have “robust sustainable drainage” designed to cope with a “one in 100-year flood event”.
East Beach Residents Association chair Louise Wilcox said: “A number of people have mentioned that living around there now is like living in a building site, it is fair to say there is dissatisfaction.
“I am distressed at what is happening, with a loss of habitat for animals and for insects and with all that going on, this is unfortunate.”
Shoebury Residents Association chair, Peter Lovett, added: “It is done now and we have to live with it now, but if we have problems and they make excuses, we did bring our concerns to their attention if something happened.
“People are very frustrated, all I get are private messages of support for the residents’ association but frustrated the situation cannot be changed.”
A spokesman for Bellway said: “Construction work has now begun at the former Shoebury Garrison site in Barge Pier Road.
“Engineering works are required before the 210 homes can be built.
“This stage was approved under the engineering works reserved matters planning consent in December 2022.
“Full planning consent is in place for the redevelopment of this site.”
Bellway additionally emphasised that all conditions they need to begin construction have been achieved which “enables us to begin work to deliver this sustainable development of much-needed new homes.”
The spokesman added: “While a separate application to vary the affordable housing at the development was recently refused, this does not affect the existing planning consent.”
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