Author: Andy

Following the earlier endorsement of the Council Conservation Working Party, this week our proposal for local conservation area designation reached the Council Cabinet Committee. This is not a meeting that is open to the public but we have been advised that a ‘green light’ has been given to call for a report into the implications of local conservation status. We have asked for consultation opportunity and will do all that we can to objectively make the case for protecting the area and for heritage led regeneration in Hamlet Court Road, as has happened in many places throughout the UK. Unfortunately this delays things a little but hopefully the level of scrutiny will simply serve to underpin the proposals and reinforce the confidence already shown by Councillors.

There’s a long way to go but things are still on track…

ENS Recruitment, probably the largest employer in Hamlet Court Road with around 70 staff, have recently met with us and given their full support to our conservation and regeneration work in the Hamlet Court area. This is fantastic news, a real boost to our work and with such a significant company ‘signing up’ we hope that others will follow in due course. As well as the protection of the amazing local historical architecture we have discussed how businesses like ENS can help us to grow and get involved with various community projects, such as improved refuse collection – a problem highlighted by many people in the area. We plan to launch a pilot project to see how we can help identify local refuse problems and then strategically influence planning and collection. This will take some effort, over time, but there’s no point in not having ambition!

ENS occupy a building that might be described as a baby brother to Havens, further up the road. Dating from the 30’s-40’s the early steel frame structure is clad with ornamental faience cladding and clear references the Havens building.

If you are a business in Hamlet Court Road please consider following ENS’ lead and join us to help save and improve the heritage and economy of the area.

September 28th 2017: This week we gave a presentation to Southend Council’s Conservation Working Party and Council Members and local conservationists considered our proposition that the Hamlet Court Area might become a new Conservation Area, subject to further detailed appraisal, which we have offered to carry out ourselves, which would then be considered by the Council. Enthusiastic support was widely expressed throughout the room with the outcome that the proposition is now going to the next stage, consideration by Council Cabinet. This is but one small step on a long road to protecting the local historic area but it is very positive for our town. Further reports are expected this side of Christmas so keep following these news messages.

In July a comprehensive ‘Statement of Case’ was submitted to Southend Council. This is the document that starts to make the case for the protection of the local historic buildings and for economic regeneration. It’s important as it gives the Council a good insight into what we would like to achieve and how this might start to happen. In due course a summarised version of the progressing document will appear on the website for anyone to read and raise questions.

Hamlet Court Conservation Forum launches a fantastic new website that describes who we are and what we want to achieve….nothing less than the protection of the historic local area and the urban regeneration of Hamlet Court Road. Andy Atkinson, Acting Chairman said ‘The website shows how serious we are about making this happen, providing news and information, and growing a membership of supportive residents and traders’. The website describes the work of the Forum so that  as progress is made everyone can tap into developments and become part of the conservation and regeneration projects. Feedback comment is welcomed on the website and direct contact with the Forum’s Officers is immediately to hand.

On Monday 19th June the new Hamlet Court Conservation Forum was formally introduced to the Council at what is known as the Conservation Working Party (CWP). This is a group of local Councillors, Council Officers and representatives of local amenity groups that meet at the Council offices to discuss urban conservation issues in Southend-on-Sea. Under the new chairmanship of Councillor Mark Flewitt CWP meetings are re-scheduled to occur on a quarterly basis and this regular contact should enable local conservation to make good progress – there is quite a bit to do! On the table right now are issues of improving the identification and record of, and planning responses to, locally listed buildings. These are the buildings that have local historical significance but are not nationally Listed. This will effect Hamlet Court Road and could help future protection. Together with the very active Milton Conservation Society, we will do all we can to contribute to these meetings but the Forum, as a completely new organisation, has yet to be formally accepted onto the Working Party. Watch this space for further updates…