We are proposing a new Southend City Quarter, where countryside living meeting amenity. The scheme is proposing up to 3,000 new homes supported by essential community infrastructure including land for educational use, distinct local centres, commercial space, green infrastructure and open space, new access and enhanced transport links.

In response to the first consultation, the emerging housing mix is being shaped around the types of homes people told us are needed most, including affordable homes and homes that can help younger people and first-time buyers access the housing market.

We are also exploring later living accommodation, reflecting the support for homes that serve older residents and help create a community for people at different stages of life.

The Site

Made up of two parcels of land (Garon Parkside, and Bakers Gate), our site is situated to the north of Royal Artillery Way, Bournes Green Chase and Poynters Lane.

The land is identified as an area for growth by Southend-on-Sea City Council – described as Sector D in the South East Essex Strategic Growth Locations Assessment. Sector D, covering both Southend-on-Sea and Rochford, has the ability to support infrastructure led development to address the Councils’ housing demand.

Southend’s Changing Housing Needs

Southend-on-Sea City Council has been unable to keep pace with nationally-set housing targets in recent years. The chart below shows housing delivery in Southend, measured against the housing requirement set by national planning policy after Southend’s Local Plan expired.

While this is a development that is directed at addressing Southend’s needs, we recognise the potential for cross-boundary impacts so we want to ensure Rochford’s own needs are considered and that any benefits are shared between both.

^△ Taken from Southend Council Authority Monitoring Reports
* ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), 2025 provisional
** Taken from ONS Housing Affordability Statistics, 2024
^† Southend City Council Housing Register statistics (as at March 2024 when last published)
^‡ Southend City Council Corporate Performance Report Q1