The long-awaited restoration of Leigh’s Cinder Path Shelter is finally complete, and Green Party Councillors are celebrating its reopening after years of setbacks.

The shelter, a much-loved seafront landmark, has been fenced off for nearly five years after the collapse of the original contractor and delays in securing a licence from the Marine Management Organisation. Work has taken four months to finish, following years of community pressure to get the project moving again.

Leigh Ward Councillor Richard Longstaff, who has championed the project since being elected in May 2023, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the shelter finally finished and looking magnificent. I’ve been pushing hard to get this rebuilt, and I’m pleased that some of the design improvements I suggested have been included in the final result. Whether it’s restoring the Cinder Path Shelter, securing repairs for the Marine Estate Shelter, or pushing for footpaths in Chalkwell Park to be fixed – we get things done. Residents can trust us to keep delivering on the things that matter to them.”

Councillor Stuart Allen, leader of the Green Group on Southend Council, added:

“It’s wonderful to see families and friends enjoying the shelter again. My thanks go to the council officers and local businesses who’ve worked so hard over the past months to restore it and make it look fantastic.”

The restored shelter reopened on the weekend of the 21st August and provides a shaded spot for walkers and families, offering great views of the Estuary.

– ENDS –

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The Green Party has responded to the Conservative motion calling for an injunction to prevent the use of Southend hotels for asylum seekers.

There are currently no so-called “migrant hotels” in the city.

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“There shouldn’t be any need to use hotels for accommodation for Asylum Seekers, and it’s sad to see the Conservatives are weaponising vulnerable people to score political points. This motion doesn’t solve anything – it just blames individuals fleeing war and persecution, while ignoring the real causes of this crisis: years of government failure to fund asylum processing, cuts to foreign aid, Brexit, Climate Change, and disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“What we need is a fair and efficient system that quickly processes asylum claims, action against those exploiting people in the grey economy, and safe routes so people aren’t forced into dangerous crossings.”

Cllr Stuart Allen
Green Group Leader, Southend City Council

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“This is where the legacy of 14 years of Conservative government has led us. They allowed a massive backlog of asylum claims which has resulted in local hotels being used for accommodation.

“The Green Party embraces the right to claim asylum, in any country, as set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And we need a fast and fair process to assess asylum applications.

“It is inhumane, as well as costly to UK tax payers, to have to wait years for a decision.

“The UK Government quite rightly created safe and legal routes for people fleeing Ukraine. They need to offer the same to others seeking safety from similarly dangerous situations.

“We also want to see those seeking asylum and protection to be allowed to work while their application is being decided. That’s the way to get them out of hotels and able to look after themselves and contributing to local communities.”

Ellie Chowns, MP
Green Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs

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The Green Party warned that the language used by Southend Conservatives – referring to “protecting our city”, “preserving our community” and “illegal immigrants” – is toxic and divisive.

Southend Greens said this is the kind of rhetoric that sets people against one another, and is not worthy of a compassionate and welcoming city.

“Southend is better than this Tory motion. We are a city built on compassion and community, and we should be showing leadership by standing up for fairness, decency, and humanity,” the party said.

– ENDS –

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Thank you for raising concerns about the potential development at Bournes Green.  
 
I do understand your concerns about the loss of green belt land. I have been vocal in my opposition to building on the Green Belt between Leigh and Hadleigh, as I believe this land serves an important purpose.
 
However, I cannot in all conscience oppose every housing development in the area. I was elected on a manifesto pledging a massive increase in house-building. I don’t think this government – before or after the election – could have been clearer on this point.
 
Every week my office deals with people here in this constituency who are facing homelessness, or living in cramped and overcrowded conditions. Also, week-in week-out I talk to young people who want to get on the housing ladder. They don’t want to have to move miles and miles away, they want a home of their own here, near to their families.
 
Under previous governments, infrastructure did not keep up with housing growth, which led to many people feeling worse off and fostered cynicism about housing targets. My aim is to ensure that this does not happen, and housing goes hand in hand with new facilities and infrastructure. I note that council wish to link the development to the provision of a new hospital – if that were to happen their would be huge benefits for everyone in the area.
 
Proposals for Bournes Green are at an extremely early stage and any development is years away, so I will keep an open mind about it, subject to the considerations set out above.

We await to hear back from the Leader of the Council, Daniel Cowan and the MP for Southend East & Rochfod, Bayo Alaba.

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The Southend Green Party joined campaigners on Saturday to oppose plans to build over Greenbelt land at Bournes Green Chase, over 10,000 new homes on top of the 23,000+ already set by Government housing targets.

The protest, held outside the Odeon on Southend High Street, heard speeches from local residents and campaigners condemning the New Towns Taskforce proposals being pushed through as part of Southend’s Local Plan.

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“Concrete doesn’t grow crops. Once prime farmland is lost, it’s gone for good. Food security is vital, yet the council is backing plans to concrete over land that improves air quality, supports wildlife, and produces food. Residents must speak up in the Local Plan consultation.”

Tricia Cowdrey, Green Party campaigner and East Beach Residents’ Association member.

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“We need housing, but we need the right housing – truly affordable and social housing sustainably. The Council’s own figures show Southend needs around 507 affordable homes a year, far less than the Government’s unrealistic targets. These numbers simply don’t match reality.”

Kay Mitchell, Green Party campaigner,

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“This proposal is nonsensical – there are 1.4 million homes with planning permission still waiting to be built. Developers are land-banking to drive up prices with no appetite for affordable homes. Southend is a peninsula with inadequate transport infrastructure,  we can’t keep sprawling into neighbouring towns with dysfunctional urban planning creating car dependancy, our roads are already at capacity and cannot be widened. We must protect the Metropolitan Greenbelt.”

Cllr Richard Longstaff, Green Party councillor for Leigh Ward

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The Green Party is urging residents to take part in the Local Plan consultation, especially section 3b — to protect Southend’s green spaces.

Residents can find this at localplan.southend.gov.uk.

– ENDS –

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Southend Green Party is speaking out against further cuts to bus services in the east of the city.

People living between Asda and East Beach in Shoeburyness have been told that the Number 9 bus will be reduced again, despite a local campaign calling for more frequent buses.

Last summer, Arriva Herts & Essex cut the number of buses running between East Beach and Asda in half. They redirected the deleted buses to Great Wakering on a new 9a route.

Now, the Saturday service is being cut too, with buses only running every 40 minutes.

Green Party campaigner Tricia Cowdrey handed over a petition last year to Arriva and Southend City Council, signed by 549 residents, asking for the full service to be brought back. But that call has been ignored, and more cuts are now going ahead.

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Tricia said:

“Bus services in the east of Shoebury have been stripped away over the years. We used to have four different routes, and now we’re left with a patchy and unreliable service from Arriva. I’m deeply worried about people becoming isolated. These buses help residents stay connected to friends, family, and essential services.

“With more homes being built in the area, and the need to cut traffic and emissions, now is the time to improve public transport, not make it worse. For many people, buses are a lifeline to work, school, healthcare and support.”

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Arriva says the changes are due to government funding cuts and changing passenger habits.

A new service, the Number 26,  has been launched by First Essex, running from East Beach to Leigh every hour, but it finishes early in the afternoon.

Green Group Leader Cllr Stuart Allen said:

“We’ve seen some welcome improvements to bus services in the west of Southend, but the east is being left behind. If we want fewer cars on the road and cleaner air, we need reliable public transport people can count on. Otherwise, more people will turn to driving, and that means more congestion and more pollution across the city.”

The Greens are urging residents to keep using the buses as much as possible, and to make sure their journeys are recorded, to help protect what’s left of the service.

— ENDS —

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The Southend Green Party is pleased that its Hedgehog Highways motion will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on Monday 21st July.

Green Councillor for Leigh, Stuart Allen, first brought the motion to Full Council in March. The aim is to help hedgehogs move more easily between gardens and green spaces by creating a city-wide network of “hedgehog highways”, small gaps in fences that allow these much-loved creatures to travel safely. The plan would make Southend’s neighbourhoods more connected, greener, and more wildlife-friendly.

The recommendations being put to Cabinet include working with the Essex Wildlife Trust, Southend Youth Council and other local partners to better understand current hedgehog numbers and identify where improvements are most needed. This will build on data already gathered through the Greater Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The council’s planning team has also confirmed its commitment to ensuring new housing developments support hedgehog-friendly features.

“After submitting our Hedgehog Highways motion to Full Council back in March, I’m really pleased to see positive recommendations now going to Cabinet. These steps could make a real difference for our brilliant native hedgehogs – nature’s little pest controllers – whose numbers have dropped from 30 million to under 1 million since the 1950s.

It’s great to see the council planning to work with Essex Wildlife Trust and other groups, using existing budgets and external grants to support the scheme. I look forward to seeing how the project takes shape.”

Cllr Stuart Allen

The motion was seconded by Independent Group Councillor Susan Badger, who represents Thorpe Ward.

– ENDS –

Notes to editor:

The report pack for the Cabinet meeting on the 21st July can be found here
https://democracy.southend.gov.uk/documents/g4876/Public%20reports%20pack%2021st-Jul-2025%2018.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10

Agenda item 9 (page 121) features the report on the motion.

Cllr Allen’s motion states:

This Council notes that hedgehog populations in England have experienced a significant decline over the past six decades. In the 1950s, it was estimated that there were approximately 30 million hedgehogs across the UK; today, the population has fallen to well below one million across England, Scotland, and Wales combined.

One contributing factor to this decline is the widespread use of concrete gravel boards, which obstruct natural travel routes between gardens. This forces hedgehogs onto roads, leading to increased fatalities and fragmented populations.

Hedgehogs play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by providing natural pest control, contributing to biodiversity, and improving soil health. Their presence supports the balance of our natural environment, which is increasingly under threat.

This Council therefore resolves to:

• Establish a Hedgehog Highway Scheme to support existing residential areas, raising public awareness and providing grants to homeowners who replace concrete gravel boards with timber alternatives featuring hedgehog access holes.
• Incorporate hedgehog-friendly design into planning conditions for new developments, requiring the inclusion of hedgehog access holes in fencing and ensuring residents are informed of their purpose.
• Explore further initiatives to enhance local hedgehog populations, including the promotion of wildlife-friendly gardening practices and a reduction in pesticide use.
• This Council recognises the importance of proactive conservation measures and commits to supporting the protection and recovery of hedgehog populations within our local area.

The post Southend Green Party Welcomes Progress on Hedgehog Highways Plan appeared first on South East Essex.

“I’m absolutely delighted to announce Ashley as our compère for the evening. He’s brilliantly funny, effortlessly talented, and guaranteed to make it a night to remember!” 

Lauren Ekins

Grab your team, test your knowledge, and enjoy a night of fun and laughter — all for just £5 a ticket online (or £6 on the door). Don’t miss out — book now and join the fun!

Alternatively, call Simon Gittus on 07738 471331 or email simongittus.greenparty@gmail.com to reserve your £5 space.

The post Ashley Edwards announced as quiz night host appeared first on South East Essex.

📍 St. Mark’s Church, Westcliff
💚 Hosted by the South East Essex Green Party

Get your thinking caps on and join us for a fun-filled evening of trivia, laughs and community spirit — all in support of your local Green Party!

🎟 £5 per person advanced, £6 on the door, teams of 6 max
🍷 Bring your own drinks & snacks
🎁 Raffle prizes to be won!

Whether you’re a solo quiz whizz or bringing a full team, everyone’s welcome. Come along, show off your knowledge, and help power our green campaigns.

The post South East Essex Green Party Quiz Night appeared first on South East Essex.

A much-loved shelter on Marine Parade in Leigh-on-Sea is finally getting the care it needs, thanks to Southend Green Party.

After local residents raised concerns on Facebook about its poor condition, local Green campaigner Simon Gittus got in touch with Leigh ward councillor Stuart Allen to push for repairs.

The council has now started work on the shelter, which will include fixing up the timber, replacing missing glass, and giving it a fresh coat of paint.

Simon Gittus said:
“I raised the issue with Cllr Allen back in November, so it’s great to see the repairs finally happening. With some TLC, this lovely old shelter will look brilliant again and be something the local community can be proud of.”

Cllr Stuart Allen added:
“It’s brilliant to see the work underway and I look forward to seeing the results. I want to thank the council officers who’ve helped make this happen.”

The Marine Parade shelter restoration is the latest step in the Green Party’s ongoing work to push for improved public spaces across Southend.

The post Work Starts on Marine Parade Shelter After Green Party Action appeared first on South East Essex.

You can read our letter below:

Dear Cllr Cowan, Mr Burton-Sampson and Mr Alaba,

We are writing to express our strong objection to the inclusion of the area commonly referred to as ‘Bournes Green’ in the city’s submission to the New Towns Taskforce.

We firmly oppose any further development on Southend’s Green Belt for the following critical reasons:

1. Food Security

The UK is becoming increasingly vulnerable to food shortages as climate change accelerates. Extreme weather, both drought and flood, is already placing significant strain on farmers. According to recent research by Anglia Ruskin, York, Bristol, East Anglia and City universities, such climate-related pressures are now the leading cause of concern for future food supply, with warnings of potential civil unrest.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has called on the Government to better support domestic food production, and Abi Reader, Deputy President of NFU Cymru, has warned of erratic rainfall and extreme conditions threatening long-term food security. With this in mind, the Government should be prioritising the protection and restoration of our best agricultural land, not building over it. Incentivising farmers to farm the land through natural, organic farming.

2. Biodiversity and Nature Loss

We are in the midst of an ecological emergency. The World Wildlife Fund reports a 73% average decline in global wildlife populations over the past 50 years. Here in the UK, the House of Lords has noted a 19% drop in species since 1970, and insect populations have plummeted, Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust found a 60% decline in just 20 years.

The destruction of any remaining natural spaces, including our Green Belt, is simply unacceptable at this critical time.

3. Housing: Broken System, Misguided Solutions

The housing crisis cannot be solved by sacrificing our green spaces for unaffordable private developments. A recent study found developers are sitting on land with capacity for over 1.4 million unbuilt homes. Granting yet more permissions only rewards land-banking, not housebuilding.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of homes lie empty, locked in probate, used as short-term lets, or held as second homes. The stamp duty system disincentivises downsizing, and there is a chronic lack of genuinely affordable council housing.

The solution lies in building well-planned, energy-efficient social housing on brownfield sites, embedded within existing communities. The years-long delay to the Better Queensway regeneration scheme underscores the need for direct investment and political will, not more sprawl.

4. Infrastructure: The Wrong Direction

Adding thousands of homes without major investment in sustainable infrastructure will only increase car dependency, congestion and emissions. Southend’s recent bus cuts have forced more people into private vehicles, creating a feedback loop of declining services and rising traffic.

New developments must be designed around public and active transport, not more roads.

5. Southend’s Local Plan and the Bournes Green Site

The Draft Local Plan makes it abundantly clear: the Bournes Green site is Grade 1 agricultural land, of the highest quality, and would suffer “High Harm” from development. It is not suitable for reclassification under the so-called ‘Grey Belt’ concept.

We are concerned by claims from certain councillors questioning the land’s condition without offering any evidence. If there is genuine belief that the land is degraded, it should be submitted for rewilding under the appropriate DEFRA schemes, not put forward for irreversible development.

Conclusion

The case against building on our Green Belt could not be stronger. The evidence is overwhelming: our agricultural land must be protected, our natural world restored, and our housing crisis addressed in smarter, more sustainable ways.

We therefore urge you to join Rochford District Council in calling for Southend’s withdrawal from the New Towns Taskforce application process, and to make clear your opposition to any future proposals to build on Green Belt land across the city.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Stuart Allen, Leader of the Green Group & Councillor for Leigh Ward
Cllr Richard Longstaff, Councillor for Leigh Ward
Tilly Hogrebe, 2024 Candidate for Southend West & Leigh
Simon Cross, 2024 Candidate for Southend East & Rochford

And the South East Essex Green Party Executive:

James Vessey-Miller, Fiona Clapperton, Vida Guildford, Simon Gittus, Lauren Ekins, Sarah-Ann Jardine, RJ Learmouth, Eva Mansfield,AJ Sutherland, and Peter Walker

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