Author: Andy

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…