Scheme

Turnstone Estates’ proposals for Seaway will redevelop the existing carpark to provide a mix-used development including an IMAX Empire Cinema, Travelodge Hotel, restaurants, and public realm. The development will see a major investment into Southend and help shape the regeneration of the wider area.

Strategy

We hosted a pop-up consultation event in the Royals Shopping Centre which engaged a huge number of local people, 43% of which responded in support of the scheme.

Stakeholder engagement included Southend Councillors and planning officers, Seafront Traders’ Association, local businesses as well as securing support from Southend BID. We also frequently liaised with the Southend Echo to secure positive media coverage for the site.

The plans were featured on BBC Essex where our positive commentary was read out live on air in response to objectors. Social media was a great tool to reach younger generations who visit the seafront and would make use of the new facilities being delivered. We ran a series of targeted social media adverts on Facebook as well as scheduling tweets and posts for Twitter and Instagram respectively.

Outcome

Southend Council deferred the application in January 2020, in which Turnstone Estates submitted an appeal against non-determination. In May 2020, Southend Council’s Planning Committee minded to approve the application which the Planning Inspector granted planning permission in October 2020. This scheme was the seventeenth largest retail and leisure planning permission in England that year.