Milton

Vote share 2001 – 2012

Since the new ward boundaries were introduced, and up to last year, Milton had been a pretty safe bet for the Conservatives. We (Labour) had always believed it was winnable for us, and that it was just a matter of chipping away at the Tory majority each year until victory was assured. Of course, victory coincided with national unpopularity for the blues – add in the plurality evident in recent ballot papers and it will be seen that this made our job somewhat easier.

(I am always amazed, anyway, that so many in my corner of Essex plump for the Conservatives. It is an illusion that the Tories are better for them and I am convinced that (in part at least) their success has been due to apathy and under-registration as much as it has had to do with being a well organised electoral machine.)

Having won last year we will be hoping to build on that success, and doubtless the Tories will be working to ensure it is a one-off. However it finally pans out, 2014’s battle will be crucial to who controls the council. Cllr Holdcroft’s administration has a wafer-thin majority of one at present, although a number of Independents are propping them up. Lose Milton again, and also lose in one or two other places and we will have a very interesting scenario to deal with at the Civic Centre.

The Liberal Democrat performance in Milton had one bright moment in 2003 when they were only 90 votes behind the winners. The Clegg bounce in 2010 did not give them the second spot again, although Labour were a mere four votes ahead. Since 2010 they have struggled, and last year only avoided fifth spot by one vote.

The Independents have fought hard but have made no real impact. The next two sets of elections will be held against the backdrop of national elections – these always adversely affect their vote. If they stand next year I think they will struggle. UKIP have stood just the once, where they manage 10.3% of the poll in 2010.

Planned works for Shorefield Road

I am not in the habit of reproducing council news items on this blog but thought this would be of interest to Milton residents. This work was supported by all three Milton councillors.

During the works to install the cycle track on Western Esplanade in 2009 the pedestrian island at the junction of Shorefield Road was removed. Since its removal there has been an ongoing campaign by residents for the island to be reinstated. In addition there are other problems associated with the junction including issues with the left turn out of the junction, aswell as poor street lighting and road surface.

Following a site meeting with local resident  it was agreed and supported that the proposal be taken forward to Traffic & parking Working Committee on the 10^th January, where the proposals were approved.

Details of scheme

 The scheme includes the construction of a new and improved pedestrian island. It is also planned to widen the south side footway on Shorefield Road between the junction of Shorefield Road and Palmeira Avenue, to deflect vehicles away from the junction on the approach so they are better positioned to make the left turn out. As detailed above 3 lamps columns and lanterns will be upgraded, the Carriageway will be resurfaced in the vicinity of the junction and unnecessary street furniture will be removed, resulting in a complete junction refurbishment.

Affect on the Highway network

 It will be necessary to close Shorefield at its junction with Western Esplanade for 4 weeks from the 04^th March. Vehicles wishing to access Shorefield Road will be required to do so by entering  from Station Road and leaving by Palmeira Avenue, vehicles approaching from the seafront who are unaware of the works will be diverted via Grosvenor Road/Station Road.

Cost and Budget

 It is currently estimated that the scheme will cost £50,000 which will be met from LTP “Better networks funding” external funding.

My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair

The release of more census information gives me more pleasure, and not just because I am a numbers geek. No. The pleasure comes with the acquisition of some solid facts to back up some of my arguments about Southend-on-Sea’s crowded town centre, and especially the marvellous ward of Milton, for whom it is my humble honour to represent.

What follows are my edited highlights, and I have chosen to show the significant data for my ward. What follows are lists of top three wards by category.

Tenure: Private Rented; Private Landlord or Letting Agency

1, Milton 48.3%
2, Kursaal 37.1%
3, Westborough 32.4%
(Southend-on-Sea 20.7%, England 15.4%)

Tenure: Owned; Owned Outright

1, Kursaal 12.2%
2, Victoria 15.3%
3, Milton 20.3%
(Southend-on-Sea 30.7%, England 30.6%)

Tenure: Owned; Owned with a Mortgage or Loan

1, Kursaal 23.4%
2, Victoria 24.4%
3, Milton 24.8%
(Southend-on-Sea 34.4%, England 32.8%)

Tenure: Living Rent Free

1, Milton 1.4%
2, Blenheim Park, Chalkwell, Victoria 1.1%
(Southend-on-Sea 0.9%, England 1.3%)

Living Atrrangements: Living in a Couple; In a Registered Same‐Sex Civil Partnership or Cohabiting (Same‐Sex)

1, Milton 2.1%
2, Westborough 1.8%
3, Kursaal 1.4%
(Southend-on-Sea 1.1%, England 0.9%)

Living Arrangements: Not Living in a Couple; Single (Never Married or Never Registered a Same‐Sex Civil Partnership)

1, Milton 33.5%
2, Victoria 32.6%
3, Kursaal 32.5%
(Southend-on-Sea 25.0%, England 25.8%)

Living Arrangements: Not Living in a Couple; Divorced or Formerly in a Same‐Sex Civil Partnership which is Now Legally Dissolved

1, Victoria 10.9%
2, Kursaal 10.7%
3, Milton 10.6%
(Southend-on-Sea 7.9%, England 6.5%)

Economic Activity: Economically Active; Unemployed

1, Kursaal 8.7%
2, Victoria 8.1%
3, Milton 7.0%
(Southend-on-Sea 5.0%, England 4.4%)

Economic Activity: Economically Inactive; Retired

1, Westborough 7.8%
2, Kursaal 8.9%
3, Milton 9.7%
(Southend-on-Sea 14.1%, England 13.7%)

Economic Activity: Economically Active; Full‐Time Student

1, Milton 3.4%
2, Kursaal, West Shoebury 3.2%
(Southend-on-Sea 2.7%, England 3.4%)

Courtway House

There is just the one planning item of interest in this week’s listings:

APPLN. NO: 13/00066/FUL

Officer: Janine Argent Date Valid. 21 January 2013

ERECT FIVE STOREY BUILDING INCORPORATING RETAIL SHOP (CLASS A1) AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL AND NINE SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WITH ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPING AND PARKING (AMENDED PROPOSAL)

COURTWAY HOUSE 129 HAMLET COURT ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA

Me versus the developers – a score draw so far

Application Ref.	Address	Proposal	Status
12/01095/OUTM	Balmoral Hotel 30 – 36 Valkyrie Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex SS0 8BU	Demolish existing building and erect three storey building with dormer windows to front, sides and r…	Application Withdrawn
12/01178/FUL	69 St John’s Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex SS0 7JY	Convert garage into habitable accommodation and alter front elevation	Permission granted
12/01195/EXT	29 – 31 Clifftown Road Southend-On-Sea Essex SS1 1AB	Erect second floor to form self-contained flat (Outline) (application to extend the time limit for i…	Permission granted
12/01196/FUL	172 Station Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex SS0 7SB	Convert office (class B1) into dwelling (class C3) (Amended Proposal)	Application Refused
12/01216/FUL	10 Preston Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex	Lay out hardstanding to front and form vehicular access onto Preston Road (Amended Proposal)	Permission granted
12/01265/FUL	Crowstone Court 50 Holland Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex SS0 7SQ	Demolish fifth storey and erect replacement fifth storey comprising of two self contained flats	Permission granted
12/01309/FUL	11A Queens Road Southend-On-Sea Essex SS1 1LT	Convert first floor offices (Class B1) into self contained flat (Class C3)	Application Refused
12/01310/FUL	Queens Arcade 16 Queens Road Southend-On-Sea Essex SS1 1LU	Convert first floor offices (Class B1) into one self contained bedsit and one self contained flat (C…	Application Refused
12/01351/FUL	County Chambers Weston Road Southend-On-Sea Essex SS1 1BB	Use Solicitors Office (Class B1) as Community Drug and Alcohol Service Centre (Class D1)	Permission granted
12/01363/FUL	Courtway House 129 Hamlet Court Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex SS0 7EW	Erect five storey building incorporating retail shop (class A1) at ground floor level and nine self-…	Application Withdrawn
12/01383/FUL	25 Herbert Grove Southend-On-Sea Essex SS1 2AT	Convert existing dwellinghouse to form 2 no. self contained flats	Application Refused
12/01398/FULM	35 To 47 Milton Road And Land Adjacent 24 Milton Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex SS0 7JR	Demolish existing building and erect 10 dwellinghouses, amenity spaces layout parking and form vehic…	Permission granted
12/01407/FUL	66 Avenue Road Westcliff-On-Sea Essex SS0 7PJ	Demolish existing building and erect two storey detached dwelling	Permission granted
12/01424/FUL	80A London Road Southend-On-Sea Essex SS1 1PG	Convert first floor self-contained flat (Class C3) into two self-contained flats (Class C3) (Amended…	Pending Decision
12/01481/FUL	Brights Locksmiths 43 Clarence Street Southend-On-Sea Essex SS1 1BH	Erect first floor extension to create self contained dwelling incorporating 35 -37 Clarence Road (Am…	Application Refused

Since being elected I have begun querying some of the planning applications for Milton. These are usually ones where I fear the overcrowding in the ward will worsen if the application is successful. Occasionally I have other concerns.

I discovered this recently – Planning Application Search – and decided to go looking at a few of the recent planning applications to see what the latest state of play with them is. My results are shown above. A mixed bag really, but at least some democratic scrutiny is now evident. I do not expect no development in Milton, but I do expect careful consideration before approval is given.

The table shows seven applications granted out of 15, with one yet to be decided.

Cramming them in in Milton

Ward	2011 Census All People	2010 Mid-year estimate	2001 Census All people	% difference 2001-2011	2011 Estimated resident occupied households
Kursaal	11,130	9,890	8,872	25.5%	5,087
Milton	11,063	9,527	8,990	23.1%	5,199
Victoria	11,004	10,299	9,346	17.7%	4,965
Shoeburyness	11,159	10,810	9,974	11.9%	4,782
Leigh	10,083	9,106	9,015	11.8%	4,608
Chalkwell	10,045	9,223	9,207	9.1%	4,369
St. Luke’s	11,213	10,869	10,453	7.3%	4,646
Westborough	10,847	10,993	10,196	6.4%	4,386
Blenheim Park	10,475	10,080	9,908	5.7%	4,279
Thorpe	9,215	8,557	8,715	5.7%	3,921
West Leigh	9,154	8,843	8,670	5.6%	3,840
Prittlewell	9,971	9,712	9,478	5.2%	4,208
Belfairs	9,219	8,893	8,944	3.1%	4,173
Southchurch	9,710	9,771	9,467	2.6%	4,065
West Shoebury	10,280	9,940	10,017	2.6%	3,963
St Laurence	9,726	9,633	9,673	0.5%	4,205
Eastwood Park	9,364	9,165	9,332	0.3%	3,982

The Office for National Statistics released on 23^rd November 2012 the first element of ward level population estimates from the 2011 Census – summarised in the table above. To say I was shocked when first digesting this information understates things.

Since my election in May I have been questioning the need for new development in Milton ward. I am endeavouring to have every application scrutinised. This does not mean I want every new development proposal rejected, I accept that Milton must take its fair share along with the sixteen other wards in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

Whilst the residents of Milton largely appear to agree with me that their ward is an already crowded place, I am unconvinced that any others share that view. Now it looks like the statistics vindicate me.

Milton is physically one of the smaller wards in my town, and yet boasts the fourth highest population (and, bizarrely, the lowest electorate). It has few open spaces, few schools (the small Barons Court and the girls-only St.Bernard’s), whilst also containing two high streets and plenty of pubs and clubs.  Life expectancy here is eight years lower than in West Leigh.

Already crowded, and a most difficult place for car users, you can imagine my consternation on finding out that the ward population has grown by almost a quarter in the last decade.

This is not fair. How can the one of the most crowded places in Southend be asked to take more people? – and new development proposals are being suggested on an almost weekly basis. This is insanity.

I am not about to pick on any ward in particular, but the above table gives plenty of indicators for places that are better able to take new development.

Of course, my level of shock must be exceeded by Cllrs Anne Jones, Judith McMahon and Louise Burdett as their Kursaal ward has seen even greater growth in the last ten years. The picture painted by these statistics is of a town centre that is being dumped upon.

My attempt at a pedestrian crossing for Scratton Road – a fail so far

Following on from a number of conversations with the residents of Scratton Road, and neighbouring streets, I am looking to have a pedestrian crossing installed in Scratton Road. I believe the road is busy, and that a crossing would make the road safer for families and the elderly.

 

Thus far I have been knocked back in my attempt. What follows are extracts from some correspondence I have had with the relevant council officer.

Unfortunately, the calculation of PV2 (pedestrian volume multiplied by vehicular volume squared) was made that gave a value of 0.17. For a pedestrian crossing to be justified for further investigation, the value of PV2 needs be over 1.0. Therefore, as the threshold was not met, the proposal was not progressed any further.

For your information the PV2 approach to assessing the justification of  proposed pedestrian crossings was presented to the Traffic & Parking Working Party and Cabinet Committee in June 2012 and agreed.

I am therefore unable to take the proposal to introduce a pedestrian crossing in Scratton Road any further at the present time. However, we will continue to monitor the situation.

The speed surveys were carried out at three different times along Scratton Road, between September 2010 and October 2011. The highest average speed recorded was 25mph at around the middle part of the street, which is where you would expect the fastest speeds to be. The first two surveys recorded average speeds of between 19 mph and 21 mph.

When considering whether a proposed pedestrian crossing is justified, the main consideration is for pedestrian demand and potential conflict with vehicular traffic and this is what is measured by the PV2 calculation. Other factors, like speed and personal injury accidents are also a consideration, but regrettably, overall there is no justification for a pedestrian crossing in Scratton Road, based on the data that has been measured. The table below summarises the speed survey data for your information.

Date                                                                      road                                                                       location                                total vehicles                     % exceeding limit

Date erected	Date removed	road	location	Total no vehicles	% exceeding limit	Avg speed Dir 1	Avg speed dir 2
9-Sep-10	15-Sep-10	Scratton Road	15	38407	0.86%	21	20
4-Jul-11	14-Jul-11	Scratton Road	near 15	47768	0.19%	20	19
28-Oct-11	3-Nov-11	Scratton Road	Middle	32668	1.75%	25	25

Please note that equipment sited near No.15, is approximately 200m east of the roundabout (the road is approximately 400m in length).

Milton planning applications, episode 675980991

And here is another episode in the weekly ritual that is the Milton planning applications,

APPLN. NO: 12/01195/EXT

Officer: Sophie Glendinning Date Valid. 5 November 2012 Area BORO

ERECT SECOND FLOOR TO FORM SELF-CONTAINED FLAT (OUTLINE) (APPLICATION TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR IMPLEMENTATION FOLLOWING PLANNING PERMISSION 09/01900/OUT DATED 21ST DECEMBER 2009)
29 – 31 CLIFFTOWN ROAD SOUTHEND-ON-SEA ESSEX

APPLN. NO: 12/01363/FUL

Officer: Janine Argent Date Valid. 1 November 2012 Area BORO

ERECT FOUR STOREY BUILDING INCORPORATING RETAIL SHOP (CLASS A1) AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL AND NINE SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WITH ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPING AND PARKING
COURTWAY HOUSE 129 HAMLET COURT ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA

APPLN. NO: 12/01407/FUL

Officer: Sophie Glendinning Date Valid. 23 October 2012 Area BORO

DEMOLISH EXISTING BUILDING AND ERECT TWO STOREY DETACHED DWELLING
66 AVENUE ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA ESSEX

Crowding the crowded

I have a policy of objecting to any planning application in my ward which crams more dwellings into one of the most densely populated areas of the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

To give you an idea of why I object here are this week’s offerings with my reason for objection.

APPLN. NO: 12/01383/FUL

Officer: Sophie Glendinning Date Valid. 26 October 2012

CONVERT EXISTING DWELLINGHOUSE TO FORM 2 NO. SELF CONTAINED FLATS
25 HERBERT GROVE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA ESSEX

My reasons for objecting:

Milton is an already crowded ward, and the significantly large number of flats is a factor in this. Turning houses into flats in isolation is not an issue, but the saturation of flat conversions that characterises a large part of this ward brings many problems. Not only do we have overcrowding, but we see major car parking problems, and often shabby and neglected frontages and gardens. Milton also has high indices of deprivation that, in my humble opinion, will only worsen if we do not stop the cramming of dwellings into the area.

APPLN. NO: 12/01398/FULM

Officer: Louise Cook Date Valid. 23 October 2012

DEMOLISH EXISTING BUILDING AND ERECT 10 DWELLINGHOUSES, AMENITY SPACES LAYOUT PARKING AND FORM VEHICULAR ACCESSES ONTO ST HELENS ROAD AND ST JOHNS ROAD (AMENDED PROPOSAL)
35 TO 47 MILTON ROAD AND LAND ADJACENT 24 MILTON ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA

My reasons for objecting:

Milton is an overcrowded ward. It has high indices of deprivation, big problems with lack of car parking spaces, few open spaces, and issues with litter etc. These will be exacerbated if this application is allowed.

I also take issue with the conversion of a commercial space into a residential one. Our town needs jobs, yet where will these be if we allow the drip-drip removal of existing commercial premises. It does not make sense to provide more homes whilst removing potential employment opportunities.

More dwellings for Milton, and a Community Drug And Alcohol Service Centre

Here is this week’s little gems (planning applications) for Milton. This is not all of them; my intention is to highlight the numbers of new dwellings going into my crowded ward. I also include the Community Drug And Alcohol Service Centre because I do not think that such a facility should be so close to the High Street.

APPLN. NO: 12/01095/OUTM
Ward. Milton
Officer: Matthew Leigh Date Valid. 9 October 2012 Area BORO
DEMOLISH EXISTING BUILDING AND ERECT THREE STOREY BUILDING WITH DORMER WINDOWS TO FRONT, SIDES AND REAR COMPRISING OF 36 SELF CONTAINED FLATS WITH BALCONIES AND ROOF TERRACE AT REAR, LAYOUT PARKING AND CYCLE/REFUSE STORES AND FORM VEHICULAR ACCESS ONTO VALKYRIE ROAD (OUTLINE)
BALMORAL HOTEL 32 – 36 VALKYRIE ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA

APPLN. NO: 12/01178/FUL
Ward. Milton
Officer: Sophie Glendinning Date Valid. 1 October 2012 Area BORO
CONVERT GARAGE INTO HABITABLE ACCOMMODATION AND ALTER FRONT ELEVATION
69 ST JOHN’S ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA ESSEX

APPLN. NO: 12/01196/FUL
Ward. Milton
Officer: Louise Cook Date Valid. 8 October 2012 Area BORO
CONVERT OFFICE (CLASS B1) INTO DWELLING HOUSE (CLASS C3) (AMENDED PROPOSAL)
172 STATION ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA ESSEX

APPLN. NO: 12/01265/FUL
Ward. Milton
Officer: Matthew Leigh Date Valid. 16 October 2012 Area BORO
DEMOLISH FIFTH STOREY AND ERECT REPLACEMENT FIFTH STOREY COMPRISING OF TWO SELF CONTAINED FLATS
CROWSTONE COURT 50 HOLLAND ROAD WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA

APPLN. NO: 12/01351/FUL
Ward. Milton
Officer: Sophie Glendinning Date Valid. 28 October 2012 Area BORO
USE SOLICITORS OFFICE (CLASS B1) AS COMMUNITY DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICE CENTRE (CLASS D1)
COUNTY CHAMBERS WESTON ROAD SOUTHEND-ON-SEA