Latest news with #SouthendonSeaCityCouncil
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Southend tragedies taking 'toll on people'
Two major tragedies in a city have taken a toll on residents, a council leader said. A Dutch pilot, a co-pilot and a nurse were among four people who died after a small plane crashed at London Southend Airport on Sunday. The incident came weeks after Leonna Ruka, 7, from Dagenham in east London, was killed when a branch from a large tree in Chalkwell Park fell on five children on 28 June. Her inquest is due to take place on Wednesday. Southend-on-Sea City Council leader Daniel Cowan said: "Two major tragedies in a short space of time is clearly going to take their toll on people, which is why we're encouraging people - anyone needing help - to reach out for it." The Labour leader added that the council had been encouraging residents to seek help if they need it "during these difficult times." "People are coming together and mourning these tragedies as a community, and you can see the outpour of love and support in person and online with communities looking to help and support each other," he said. London Southend Airport has been closed since the plane crash, and witnesses described a "fireball" type explosion soon after the Netherlands-bound light aircraft had taken off. A woman who was killed when the plane crashed was working on her first day as a "flight nurse", the BBC understands. Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, was a German citizen born in Chile and had previously worked as a nurse in the public sector. To find out more about the support on offer to residents, contact Southend-on-Sea City Council. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Airport to remain shut after fireball plane crash Southend tree fall tragedy: What do we know so far?
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls for probe into 10,000 new homes plan
Councillors have called for an investigation after plans were revealed for 10,000 new homes on green belt land. Southend and Rochford councils in Essex submitted a joint "expression of interest" to the government for the development of land off Bournes Green Chase, in Shoebury, to the River Roach, in Rochford. However, local Reform UK and Conservative councillors have demanded a debate of the scheme at an extraordinary council meeting. Leader of Labour-led Southend on Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan, said the councils were "happy" to have the debate. The expression of interest was submitted to the government's New Towns Taskforce, which has been asked to make recommendations to ministers about the location and delivery of new towns. Councils were invited to submit proposals that were "regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth" in November and December. Southend and Rochford's joint submission, with landowners and developer Bellway, said it would be an "infrastructure-led" scheme which could begin as early as 2027, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The councils said the proposal was already being considered as part of the Local Plan process. They added that a similar submission was made by them, as well as Essex County Council, for the area to be considered a new Garden Community in 2018. However, they noted "significant infrastructure would also be needed" if the proposal went ahead. Reform UK councillors, Tony Cox and Darryl Jones along with Conservatives James Moyies and Daniel Nelson and Independent Stephen Aylen, said the proposal was made without their knowledge leading to their demand for a debate. They also put forward a motion asking the chief executive to carry out a full investigation into the process. Cox, leader of Southend Reform UK, said he was "horrified" by the proposal. Moyies, councillor for West Shoebury Ward, added he was "shocked and appalled" and the "consequences" of the proposal could be "catastrophic". Cowan said Labour were happy for a debate on the plans arguing that "Southend needs infrastructure". He hit back at the Reform UK and Conservative councillors and added: "They will claim they are protecting our city, yet they want us to lose the only leverage we have to demand new infrastructure." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Detailed plan for homes on farmland expected soon Essex housing target increases by 37% Plan for new flats approved despite parking fears Southend on Sea Council Rochford District Council


BBC News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Southend and Rochford 10,000 new home plan sparks calls for probe
Councillors have called for an investigation after plans were revealed for 10,000 new homes on green belt and Rochford councils in Essex submitted a joint "expression of interest" to the government for the development of land off Bournes Green Chase, in Shoebury, to the River Roach, in local Reform UK and Conservative councillors have demanded a debate of the scheme at an extraordinary council of Labour-led Southend on Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan, said the councils were "happy" to have the debate. The expression of interest was submitted to the government's New Towns Taskforce, which has been asked to make recommendations to ministers about the location and delivery of new were invited to submit proposals that were "regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth" in November and and Rochford's joint submission, with landowners and developer Bellway, said it would be an "infrastructure-led" scheme which could begin as early as 2027, reports the Local Democracy Reporting councils said the proposal was already being considered as part of the Local Plan process. They added that a similar submission was made by them, as well as Essex County Council, for the area to be considered a new Garden Community in they noted "significant infrastructure would also be needed" if the proposal went ahead. Reform UK councillors, Tony Cox and Darryl Jones along with Conservatives James Moyies and Daniel Nelson and Independent Stephen Aylen, said the proposal was made without their knowledge leading to their demand for a also put forward a motion asking the chief executive to carry out a full investigation into the leader of Southend Reform UK, said he was "horrified" by the councillor for West Shoebury Ward, added he was "shocked and appalled" and the "consequences" of the proposal could be "catastrophic".Cowan said Labour were happy for a debate on the plans arguing that "Southend needs infrastructure".He hit back at the Reform UK and Conservative councillors and added: "They will claim they are protecting our city, yet they want us to lose the only leverage we have to demand new infrastructure." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.