Southend land clearance begins for homes at Fossetts Farm

Keepmoat Homes, a developer specialising in affordable new-build homes, was given the green light to build a new estate at Fossetts Farm, behind Waitrose, in 2022.

Earlier this year, Southend Council also signed off details regarding the appearance, layout, and scale of the homes.

The land was formerly owned by the NHS, but cash-strapped Southend Hospital gave up on its plans to use the land for a diagnostic and treatment centre back in 2014 and later sold it to Homes England.

Development - Workers on site earmarked for 131 homes (Image: John Chenery)

Now, residents have spotted new activity on the site, with lane clearance works appearing to be taking place.

Southend resident, John Chenery, said: “The land clearance for the 131 homes goes from the line of the Boots and Laces plot to the corner of Fossetts Way. I think they are clearing and levelling the site and making it secure with fencing.

“Housing is much needed, but it is a saddening sight to see what was once designated as green belt, slowly disappearing.

“This particular plot was originally earmarked for a new NHS facility, but housing is more profitable than building health centres.”

Clearing - Land reportedly being prepared ahead of development (Image: John Chenery)

The plans are the latest in a series of developments taking place in the Fossetts Farm area of Southend.

More than 131 flat-pack homes nearby are currently being demolished after construction partner Ilke Homes went into administration and developer Guinness Homes is hoping find a new construction partner so it can restart the project.

The plot of land also sits next door to land originally earmarked for the new Southend United football stadium, which is now set to be used to build hundreds of homes.

Southend councillor Tony Cox said: “My personal view is that it is the right place to build.

Mixed feelings - 131 homes set to be built (Image: John Chenery)

“If you look, there is the flat-pack homes, not flat-pack anymore, but homes still being developed.

“There will potentially be the homes relating to the plans for Southend United, so it makes sense to use that piece of land “It has been such a long time coming, I remember this being earmarked for development for years now.

“So, it is pleasing that plans now look to be coming to foot.”

Keepmoat Homes were contacted for comment by the Echo, but did not respond.