I would like to inform you that the local residents of Leigh-on-Sea have started a poster campaign against above development and against the overall uncontrolled demolition of period buildings in Leigh-on-Sea.
As you might have noticed, since Saturday a large number of shop keepers in Broadway and Leigh Road are showing their support to this effort by displaying the enclosed poster in their shopwindows.
Additional to this, individual members of the public are displaying the posters in the front windows of their private homes. Within only one day, 100 poster were on display...
Shopkeepers and members of the public can order the poster for free at , so it is to be expected that the number of shops and individuals supporting this effort will rise even more.
The reasons for this overwhelming support:
1. Grand Parade, together with Cliff Parade, is a key feature of beautiful Leigh-on-Sea and enjoyed by everyone living in Leigh for weekend walks, outings with the children, the early morning run, even the walk to the station. People enjoy the view onto the estuary on one side and the Victorian buildings with their gardens on the other.
2. Everyone we have spoken to would prefer to keep the existing Victorian building.
3. Everyone is strongly opposed for any new development to be higher than the current building, especially as the property is on a very exposed part of Grand Parade and can be seen from a long distance from the east and the west.
4. Residents and businesses in Leigh want the character of Leigh-on-Sea to be preserved and want any new buildings, that might get planning permission, to be in keeping with the style of the town.
5. Families and elderly people are worried about the increased traffic over development would cause, overall in Leigh but especially at this particular blind corner of the road.
6. Residents are afraid any further large developments in Grand Parade or Cliff Parade will cause similar problems with the cliff slippage as already happening in Westcliff.
These are just some of the reasons and worries we have been told. I am sure you will have heard of more. But the strongest feeling we have heard is that shopkeepers, businesses and members of the public alike feel that they as the majority should have a say in how their town is being developed and will look like in the future, and that this should not be shaped and decided by a minority of property developers and architects, most of which are not even voters in Southend-on Sea.
It would be very much appreciated if you could support the efforts of this majority.
I would like to inform you that the local residents of Leigh-on-Sea have started a poster campaign against above development and against the overall uncontrolled demolition of period buildings in Leigh-on-Sea.