Southend housing news
Southend housing and property news, newest first: new developments, house prices from the Land Registry and housing decisions.
Top story
Southend's 'trendier sister' Leigh-on-Sea named among UK's best places to live
Leigh-on-Sea has been named among the UK's best places to live for 2027, one of eight Essex places on the list.
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Better Queensway
Better Queensway: Quantock Tower Kept, 934 Homes, £330m
Quantock Tower would be refitted, not demolished, in new Better Queensway plans: 934 homes for about £330m. The Range's lease ends in 2028. Cabinet: 16 Nov.
Shoeburyness
Shoeburyness Bellway Homes: Affordable Cut From 65 to 21
Officers back cutting affordable homes at Bellway's Shoeburyness site from 65 to 21. Councillors refused cuts twice, but Bellway can now appeal. Vote: 11 Nov.
Local Plan
Southend Local Plan: Comments Open to 21 December
Cabinet agreed the draft plan unanimously, and comments are open until 5pm on 21 December. It allocates 14,700 homes to 2045, 4,900 of them at Bournes Green.
Local Plan
Southend Local Plan: Minister Orders Consultation by 6 Nov
The housing minister has ordered Southend to publish its draft Local Plan, site BG1 included, by 6 November and submit it by March 2027. The council is taking legal advice.
Housing
Southend Landlord Licensing Ends 30 Nov: New Scheme Plan
Southend's landlord licensing scheme ends on 30 November. A replacement covering 5,685 rented homes could start in April 2027; consultation closes 31 December.
Housing
Southend Tower Blocks: Regulator Refuses 7 Safety Cases
The Building Safety Regulator refused safety cases for seven council tower blocks. Deadlines for the fire and structural work fall this month and next.
Planning
Woodgrange Drive HMO Wins Appeal After Councillors Say No
Councillors have reversed their stance on the 8-bed HMO at 43 Woodgrange Drive after an inspector allowed it on appeal: on 14 October they said they would have granted it.
Local Plan
Southend Local Plan: Minister Orders Draft Handed Over
The housing minister has used legal powers to make Southend hand over the Local Plan it paused, citing a 2007 plan and a 20% housing delivery score.
House prices
Southend House Prices Up £5,221 While Essex Falls
Southend's average hit £328,383 in July, up £5,221 in a year, while Essex overall fell 0.3%. Flats were the only type to lose value. Every district ranked.
Housing
Southend Council Housing: £100m Plan, 7% Spent So Far
The council will spend £100m on housing over five years. Its own July figures show £549,000 of an £8.4m new build budget spent, and four schemes delayed.
Planning
Bournes Green Chase: Refusal Reworded on Legal Advice
Councillors refused 2,000 Green Belt homes on 27 August. Officers want the reason reworded on Counsel's advice, warning extra reasons risk a costs award.
Housing
Fossetts Way: £53m Deal to Finish 221 Stalled Homes
Guinness has awarded Lovell a £53.3m contract to build 221 affordable homes at Fossetts Way, three years after Ilke Homes collapsed. It runs to November 2028.
House Prices
Southend House Prices Slip £4,996 From February Peak
The average Southend home was £325,586 in June, down £4,996 since February but still £11,568 up on the year. How that compares with Rochford and Castle Point.
Planning
Bournes Green Chase: Officers Back 2,000 Green Belt Homes
Officers recommend granting 2,000 Green Belt homes at Bournes Green Chase on 26 August, two days after full council is asked to reaffirm the Green Belt.
Planning
Southend Planning News: 14,700-Home Local Plan Due in Sept
Southend's draft Local Plan proposes 14,700 homes to 2045, with public comments from September 2026. Plus Fossetts Farm's 805 homes and Queensway's latest.