A new development on Southend seafront will bring up to 110 jobs and signals a huge “vote of confidence” in the town, according to business leaders.

Goldfield Developments Limited has put forward huge plans to build 282 flats spread over six blocks and create space below for plush bars, restaurants, and shops in Marine Parade, Southend.

The developer says 110 jobs would be created by the plans and has its eye on the likes of Nandos and Pizza Express moving into the restaurant units.

It would also transform a rundown area of the seafront which has been crying out for investment over many years.

Paul Thompson, chairman of the Southend Seafront Traders’ Association, said: “It would be nice if the seafront is a destination on Friday and Saturday nights and I hope this is something that will attract people.

“Obviously, creating jobs is good for the town.

“It will completely regenerate a barren area of the seafront.”

David Burch, from Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: “I think this is good news for the town and a vote of confidence for the Southend economy.

“Hopefully, during the construction, local firms will have the opportunity to tender for some of the contracts and that will create some extra roles for the project, too.”

As well as restaurants and bars, which would be mainly placed on the upper concourse level of the development, it is looking at placing arcades, gyms, nuseries and even a soft play centre on the level below.

A grassy garden area would also be created at the back of the development, as well as a plush seating area outside the 14-storey tower block at the front of Marine Parade.

The main entrance to the plaza’s underground car park will be on Southchurch Avenue.

The flat blocks will be built on an elevated platform, with stairs being built in Pleasant Road, Marine Parade, and Southchurch Avenue.

Aworker at the Manor Guest House, in Pleasant Road, Southend, hopes it will also attract more tourists to the town.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: “I think something like this will bring people to Southend and hopefully we’ll be able to benefit from that as we’re so close.

“The site is just a waste of space and it looks so unsightly.

It really does need improving.”

Dawn Jeakings, manager of the Royals Shopping Centre, said: "This will add to the seafront and a rapidly improving area.

“There’s a lot of exciting things going on down there and 110 jobs is brilliant.

Halstead Gazette:

Elderly lady holds the key to the development

A WOMAN who holds the key to the whole seafront development says proposals for the site have left her in limbo for over a decade.

Florence Tall lives in a terraced house in Southchurch Avenue – the last piece of property Goldfield Developments Limited needs to snap up so it can build the Marine Plaza development in Marine Parade.

The pensioner has lived there since the Fifties and says she has been approached numerous times before.

Various firms have wanted to redevelop Marine Plaza, with a previous £100million proposal falling by the wayside in 2009.

Goldfield Developments has offered her £200,000 for the house, which is on the north-east corner of the plot.

It has already managed to purchase three of her neighbours’ homes.

Mrs Tall said: “I’ve packed up four times in 12 years and have been ready to go, only for schemes to fall through.

“It has been awful not knowing what is going to happen.

“I do like it here because I like the hustle and bustle of town, and the Tesco opposite is very handy.

“If they could find me another home nearby that is near some shops and the town centre, then that would be fine.

“I’m going to consider their offer, but I’m not being ridiculous, “I’m not asking for Thorpe Bay Gardens.”

Land agent the Inner London Group, working on behalf of Goldfield Developments Limited, told the Echo last week it was confident a deal could be thrashed out with Mrs Tall.

She said they visited her house a fortnight ago.

The group hopes to start building in 2015, pending planning permission.

It recently acquired the Foresters Arms pub, meaning Mrs Tall’s home is the only building it is yet to obtain.

She said the development is a good idea, and hopes it will make the seafront thrive like in years gone by.

She added: “Anything that brings this part of the seafront back to life is a good thing.

“It looks good, although I would be a bit concerned about the height.

“I remember when this part of town was really busy.

“You had coachloads of people coming in, and if this can bring that back then I’m all for it.”

Residents - we may be forced out by development

Halstead Gazette:

Angry residents say the possibility of being plagued by the development’s tower blocks could force them to move.

Residents in Pleasant Road fear they will be badly affected by the plans, including during the construction phase when their street would be used as an access road for building equipment.

They also fear for their privacy with six tower blocks to be built on the land directly behind them – with the biggest one reaching 14 storeys high.

Emma Holmes, 25, from Pleasant Road, said: “For us on this road, it’s going to be horrendous.

“I’m asthmatic and I’m worried about the construction, but when it’s finished, the buildings are far too high and as there are bars and restaurants there, it could lead to a lot of trouble down here.

“It’s made me think about moving out as the implications of this development could be massive.”

Stephen Teathell, 61, has lived on Pleasant Road for 20 years, and said: “It wants cleaning up, but not to that extent. It’s like putting an elephant on a molehill.

“I know there’s a shortage of housing for people to live in, but 14 storeys is just outrageous.”

Rachael Joyce, who also lives in the road, added: “It’s going to be absolutely terrible.

“The size of it is too big. We’re going to have people looking straight into our houses.”