Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has announced its preferred bidder to deliver the Queensway Estate regeneration project for the town centre.
Swan Housing Association has been selected, much to the delight of chief executive John Synnuck. In response to the news, he said “We’ve been taking on complex regenerations just like this for the last 25 years and our award-winning schemes show that we can not only build”.
He added “We can tackle complex road and infrastructure challenges and put in the commercial space and facilities needed to create successful mixed-use regenerations”.
The £400million project will involve the demolition of four ageing 16-storey residential tower blocks and major road alterations, to deliver 1,600 new homes, including 500 affordable housing units, commercial units, community space, and a new public realm.
Deputy Leader of Southend Council, James Courtenay, cabinet member for growth, said “Better Queensway is the biggest regeneration project we are undertaking in a generation and will seek to transform this vital area right in the centre of our town, delivering better housing, better living and a better place for both the current residents and those that will make central Southend their home in the future.”
“This regeneration will help make this area a key entrance into our town centre and connect what will be a thriving new community with it and also help us to deliver a key part of our resident led ambition for 2050″.
It is hoped that an initial masterplan design for the site could come forward as early as next year.
For more information on the Better Queensway project click here.
06 February 2019