Plans are underway in Westcliff to transform empty offices into a 12-bed bedsit, raising concerns about local services and parking.
Southend: So, there’s this plan to change some empty offices above the Tool-Line shop on London Road into a 12-bedroom bedsit. Sounds like a big change, right? The application is from Mitchell Nunn, and it’s got people talking.
Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter about these types of housing in Westcliff. Councillor Ron Woodley even mentioned that more bedsits could turn the area into a “no-go zone.” That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?
The offices in question are right above Tool-Line, and you can imagine how busy that area can get. James Courtenay, who leads the Conservative Group in Southend, is worried about how this will affect local services.
He pointed out that while turning offices into homes isn’t a bad idea, the issue with HMOs is where everyone will park and how the waste will be managed. It’s a fair concern, especially with 12 new homes popping up.
Courtenay said, “A large HMO on a main road where there isn’t as much space makes me worry about fly-tipping and parking pressures.” He’s right; it’s a busy road, and adding more cars could be a hassle.
He also mentioned that the street already has issues with rubbish bags being torn apart by foxes. Can you imagine the mess if more people move in? It’s definitely something the planning committee needs to think about.
Last year, the council rejected a plan to turn the old Anchor Hotel into a 15-bed HMO, and there’s still an appeal going on about that. It seems like there’s a lot of back and forth with these applications.
Plus, just last November, they turned down another application for an eight-bedroom HMO on Hamlet Court Road. It’s clear that the council is being cautious about these changes.
