​GRA News Update April 2016

Dear Resident

We had hoped to have advise you that the Developer had completed all works and that the Estate and its facilities had been handed over to the new Shoebury Garrison Management Company Ltd (SGMCL) and Southend Borough Council.  We are still awaiting formal notification but we can confirm that the Gunners Park, the Tennis Courts, Toddler Play Area and the Multi Use Games area are now the responsibility of Southend Borough Council to manage and maintain.

Should there be any issues you wish to report re the use, or misuse of these facilities, please contact the numbers below.

Gunners Park Ranger: Andrew Armstrong 07738 458916

Southend Borough Council: Paul Jenkinson 01702 215743

On a more serious note, I am sure many of you are aware that, after many months of fighting and challenging the Council, the Outline Planning Application to build 172 homes, Commercial Office Space and a Health Centre on the land adjacent to New Barge Pier Road has been approved. Apart from the GRA representing your views, only one Councillor, Cllr James Moyise, spoke up at the Development Control meeting against the application.  Councillor Roger Hadley let all his constituents down by speaking from a prepared Council Officer script in favour and despite his pre-election promise to oppose the development. This was despite over 100 local individual objections and the 3 Shoebury Residents Associations making their views and concerns known. Councillors were directed by Officers to approve to save the Council the expense of the former, refused near identical application’s Planning Appeal.  Ironically, to date, this Appeal has not yet been withdrawn by the developer and notifications have just been sent out by the Council of the Appeal Hearing timetable. If the Appeal is not withdrawn by the developer, public money will be wasted. – Call us cynical but it appears to us that the developer seems to have the upper hand. Watch this space for the next twist in the tale!

Residents are using the GRA web site and Facebook group to good effect – we are immediately aware of your concerns and news. The main topics of concern are the growing number of irresponsible dog walkers and visitors who leave their dogs mess and litter. We have taken this up with the Council when this affects the adopted roads, and for the un adopted estate roads, with the Managing Agents. This however is not the solution nor the only problem regarding anti-social behaviour. It is likely that we will have to introduce security patrols in the very near future to ensure these frequently reported incidents are checked and stopped to keep the Garrison safe and secure for all our residents.

We have supported residents by opposing a planning application to turn the Rifle Shed by the Outlook Apartments into a residence. It clearly is a shed and the application was successfully refused permission. The majority of the Garrison is a Conservation Area and it is important we do not allow it to be in-filled and spoiled by inappropriate extensions and development that will impact on our unique street scene and associated loss of parking that impacts on neighbours. We will always support residents who have a valid concern.

On a lighter note the GRA have met with the organisers of the 2 charity events planned using estate roads, the Havens Half Marathon on Sunday 12th June and the Southend Bikeathon on Sunday 4th September to ensure there is as little disruption to residents as possible and that the event organisers notify residents with all the relevant information prior to the events.

Plans for the resident’s only street party on the Queens 90th Birthday (also on the 12th June) are well under way. Further information will be circulated nearer the time but if you would like to get involved in the organisation of the event, please contact pcoombe@hotmail.co.uk

We are urgently seeking proactive residents to join the GRA committee and or our Task Groups. If you have expertise and enthusiasm, please join us as, after many years of service to the GRA, we have a number of members who have resigned, or are due to resign over the next months. We would like to thank Viv Jones, and Adrian Walker for their tireless support and input.

We also need more residents to respond to our request for funds as the GRA operates on a voluntary basis but there are some costs we do have to cover such as the Web Site, notices and printing and if we need to seek professional advice to uphold residents’ concerns. Our original request for funds has disappointingly not been well supported so if you want a committee to be able to act on your behalf please donate £5 or more by visiting the Donate page of this web site, by Paypal by using payments@shoeburygarrison.com or by direct payment to:

HSBC Bank Sort Code: 40-42-27
Account No: 42042029

Thank You from the Garrison Residents Association Committe