(Commonwealth_ Plans to transform an empty office block in Southend-on-Sea’s city center into residential flats have been approved by the city council, despite concerns over limited parking. The Southend-on-Sea City Council’s development control committee has greenlit the proposal to convert Alexander House, a former HM Revenue and Customs office building, into residential flats, creating 557 new homes. However, local officials are concerned about potential “parking stress” in the surrounding area due to the allocation of only 299 parking spaces for the entire building, which equates to just over 0.5 spaces per flat.
The primary issue raised during the council’s discussions was the possibility that the limited parking could lead to congestion in nearby streets, as future residents might still own cars even with restricted parking access. Some council members argued that the parking ratio was insufficient, suggesting it would inevitably create pressure on local roads and public car parks. Nevertheless, city planners defended the decision, citing the building’s location on Victoria Avenue, well connected to public transport, as a mitigating factor. They pointed to the site’s proximity to bus and train stations, making it accessible and convenient for residents without cars. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that planners considered the building’s “sustainable location” sufficient to support the limited parking availability.
One of the council members, Richard Longstaff, who represents the Leigh ward for the Green Party, backed the initiative, framing the minimal parking as part of a broader strategy to promote reduced car ownership. He referenced Chelmsford’s planning strategy, which discourages car ownership, and argued that Southend should adopt a similar approach. Longstaff emphasized that areas within 800 meters of central public transport hubs, such as train and bus stations, should ideally have no parking requirements. “Younger people are less likely to own a car,” Longstaff noted, welcoming the idea of a 0.5-space-per-flat model. He added, “If we are going to mature and develop as a city, we need to be discouraging car use and focusing on public transport.”
In recent years, the trend of converting former office buildings along Victoria Avenue into flats has continued, with other buildings undergoing similar transformations, often with limited parking provisions. Supporters of the Alexander House project argue that city centers across the country are moving toward reduced parking as urban areas increasingly encourage reliance on public transport. They believe that such initiatives can support the city’s development goals, fostering a more walkable and less car-dependent community.
However, not all council members are convinced this approach is suitable for Southend’s city center. Kevin Buck, a Conservative councillor for the Prittlewell ward, expressed concerns about the strain on local infrastructure. He pointed out that the limited parking in other converted office blocks in the area has already increased traffic on surrounding roads, leading to congestion and parking difficulties. “We look at what’s happened to Victoria Avenue in general, and the surrounding roads are already suffering from parking stress,” Buck stated. He argued that the current planning model fails to address the fact that many residents will still choose to own cars despite limited parking availability. “The problem is, it’s not going to stop people that move into these properties from buying and owning cars,” he said. “We are engineering congestion into the city. We’re engineering in parking stress.”
Buck’s concerns reflect a broader debate within the city council over how to balance the needs of a growing population with sustainable urban planning practices. Some argue that encouraging lower car ownership is necessary to reduce congestion, pollution, and the environmental footprint of the city. Others feel that the city’s infrastructure is not yet ready to support such a shift and that new developments should include adequate parking to accommodate residents’ needs.
