Posted 29/09/2021

Queensway residents enjoy last of the summer sun at fun day

More than 120 residents living on the Queensway estate recently attended a special, invitation-only event to catch up with the organisations involved in the regeneration project.

Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP organised the event to discuss the next steps of the re-development and answer any questions residents may have about the future plans. The Porters Place team, including representatives from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Swan Housing Association as joint venture partners, were supported by staff from South Essex Homes, who currently manage the Queensway estate.

Held outside The Storehouse Community Centre between three of the four tower blocks, the fun-filled afternoon included live music from Pantasy steel band, vintage fairground stalls with hook-a-duck and strongman, complimentary food and locally sourced desserts from Cookies and Cones as well as an art competition for the children of the estate. Feedback from the Queensway was hugely positive, with many residents and their families attending to find out more about the timetable and plans.

Swan’s employment and training manager organised for SECTA - a local training academy -  Southend Adult Community College and South Essex College to attend to ensure residents are aware of the future training and job opportunities that will be created as part of the construction of Better Queensway and other local opportunities.

Cllr Ian Gilbert, Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council with a responsibility for the Queensway regeneration, said: “I am pleased that the event went well, with many residents popping by the marquee outside The Storehouse to find out more about the scheme and ask questions. Some residents expressed how keen they are for work to begin and the event reassured them that work is happening in the background.

“This regeneration project is an absolutely vital scheme for the estate, its residents and the wider town, bringing new homes, new job opportunities and a better environment, right next to the town centre.”

Geoff Pearce, Chair of the Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP Board and Deputy Chief Executive of Swan Housing Association said: “It was clear from the event that the Queensway residents are really engaging with the regeneration of their estate and that they are keen to understand when they will see this exciting transformation begin. At Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP we are committed to working in partnership with the community to deliver on their wish to have high quality new homes, fantastic public spaces and to creating a greener and safer estate. Our team were delighted to see so many residents of all ages enthusiastic about the approved plans and keen to see work start on the project.”

Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP received planning approval for the masterplan and detailed consent for the highway changes, as part of the long awaited Better Queensway regeneration project, in March this year.

Set to bring over £500 million investment into the existing Queensway estate, the re-development will be a catalyst for further improvements to Southend-on-Sea town centre. Helping to meet the needs of affordable housing in Southend-on-Sea, Better Queensway will deliver at least 512 genuinely affordable homes via a mix of 300 social rented homes and 212 intermediate homes (shared equity and shared ownership). 

To find out more about the Better Queensway regeneration visit www.betterqueensway.co.uk.