Planning permission for Fossetts

[Cockle43]

No, opposite side of the road to that development. On the left hand side as you are heading towards Sutton Road, just before the FF stadium plot. It's land owned by Homes England.

Not Homes England anymore, they sold it on a while back...

 

[Cockle43]

I believe that’s land next to the original stadium plot. Government owned. More housing.

Just checked up, mate. It's now Keepmoat Homes as the developer there, a developer that actually builds things...

 

[Holy Joe]

New timeline revealed for long-awaited Fossetts Farm 805 homes plans

LONG-awaited plans to build hundreds of homes on land once-destined to be a new Southend United stadium are unlikely to begin before 2026

www.echo-news.co.uk

 

[Cricko]

LONG-awaited plans to build hundreds of homes on land once-destined to be a new Southend United stadium are unlikely to begin before 2026, it has been revealed.


Following months of discussions between Southend Council and Citizen Housing - the housing firm fronted by the family of former Blues owner Ron Martin - councillors will meet twice next week to discuss the next steps.

Once land at Fossetts Farm is passed to Citizen Housing, 805 new homes will be built which will, in turn, release payments to Justin Rees’ consortium to redevelop Roots Hall.

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Potential - Plans for homes at Fossetts Farm (Image: Citizen Housing)


Prior to the sale of the club, major plans for a huge new stadium had been drawn up for Fossetts Farm.

Ahead of the meetings, a new timeline has been revealed showing that the planning process will take “much of 2025” and a start on site “is possible” in 2026. It is estimated that four to six years will then be needed for construction to be complete.

Discussions with Citizen Housing have already resulted in a reduction in homes from 1300 to 805, while huge flat blocks have been replaced with family homes.

Labour council leader Daniel Cowan said: “Since I became leader, I have been committed to safeguarding the future of Southend United Football Club and ensuring we protect the financial interest of the council and local taxpayers.


“I am really pleased that such good progress has been made on this vital piece of work and that the new proposal is more positive for the council and community.

“This has been extremely complex for many years and I want to thank officers for all their hard work and dedication in getting this to where we are now.”

However, former Tory party leader and current Reform leader, Tony Cox, has said a number of questions remain unanswered.

He said: “We have had some preliminary discussions, there are further questions I want to ask at scrutiny but as I said, I would never do anything to put the club at jeopardy. Fingers crossed this can proceed.”

Labour councillor for major projects, Kevin Robinson, said: “I am pleased that we have reached this stage, but there will still be much to do, including a new planning application for Fossetts Farm and subsequent phases would also be the subject of applications in due course. Whilst all parties want to see housing delivery as soon as possible, it is likely that the planning process will take much of 2025 with a start on site possible in 2026.”

 

[mattytheshrimper]

Who reckons it'll ever happen?

 

[Chrisb]

Who reckons it'll ever happen?

I am sure it will eventually as the Council need the housing - once the planning is finalised it may well get sold on to another developer. I would think the properties actually being built is many more years away.

 

[Tinks]

Let’s all be thankful that we are now not totally dependent on all of this. I know that it will release some monies for SUFC but am just glad we are away from it all

 

[Sammy Shrimper]

Who reckons it'll ever happen?

A new Planning Application is needed first, but that will involve a serious commitment to pay consultant’s fees. I suspect Ron or his son are searching again for the War Chest !

 

[Supershrimper]

Its not going to get built. Ron can't even repair his wall on his garden

 

[Avl1983]

As long as they get the planning permission then he should sign the ownership of the stadium over as far as I understand it. I'd obviously love the money from him but that seems less likely. Owning the stadium though is far more important to the future of the club.

 

[Holy Joe]

As long as they get the planning permission then he should sign the ownership of the stadium over as far as I understand it. I'd obviously love the money from him but that seems less likely. Owning the stadium though is far more important to the future of the club.

Is it the planning permission or the leasing deal with the council that is the trigger - memory has gone!

Didn't Justin say he expected RH to be passed to POSU soon? I know soon is a relative term but I'd expect the deal with the council to be signed before pp granted.

 

[Cricko]

"Once land at Fossetts Farm is passed to Citizen Housing, 805 new homes will be built which will, in turn, release payments to Justin Rees’ consortium to redevelop Roots Hall".

That bit confuses me a bit, does it mean the land that the council still own and were giving to The Rat?

The reduction in homes 1300 to 805 will hit him severely in the pocket, as he is already 40mill in debt will he be able to actually clear that, not that i give a monkeys.

I doubt that COSU will see any money in the long term but if the deal with the council goes ahead at least hopefully he signs off RH then.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Delay after delay where he is concerned. Will he actually live to see it through to fruition?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Delay after delay where he is concerned. Will he actually live to see it through to fruition?

In a word: not on your nelly! Ron couldn’t finish a cup of tea.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I do hope those payments the club are due to receive are index linked.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

New labour government are keen to build houses and are pressing ahead to change planning laws to speed projects.This is positive move if of course it gets going the downside is the reduction in the number of homes to be built likely to reduce any potential payout to the club.As long as RH is fully owned by COSU and away from RM the better if we get some cash along the way will be a bonus

 

[Liam AAS]

Is it the planning permission or the leasing deal with the council that is the trigger - memory has gone!

Didn't Justin say he expected RH to be passed to POSU soon? I know soon is a relative term but I'd expect the deal with the council to be signed before pp granted.

When Ron gets planning permission for Fossetts, he will let COSU/POSU take Roots Hall.

 

[Holy Joe]

When Ron gets planning permission for Fossetts, he will let COSU/POSU take Roots Hall.

So 'soon' is 12 to 18 months away?

 

[Liam AAS]

So 'soon' is 12 to 18 months away?

Ron has borrowed an enormous amouny of money from CBRE and the interest rate is eye-watering. It is in his interest to get this over the line ASAP.

But this IS The Martins we're talking about so I don't want to put a timescale on it, ever from what I've heard.

The good news is that COSU/SUFC have a 21 (I think) year lease on RH so there is SOME security for the club.

You can read an update in our latest issue out today

 

[Liam AAS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1869010582168338554