The public will have the chance to view inital concepts of how the Better Queensway regeneration could look. 

The exhibitions will show an initial proposal of how the site could be developed and ask for views on a variety of topics.

The public will be asked for their views on how the regeneration can best meet the needs of the community, what improvements could be made to streets and public spaces, and what high quality housing means to people.

Feedback from this first stage of consultation, which will run until 18th November, will allow the team to develop the design ahead of second round of public consultation in early 2020 before the submission of a planning application.

Geoff Pearce, Chair of the Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP Board and Executive Director of Regeneration and Development at Swan Housing, says: “Better Queensway will see approximately £500million of investment into one of the most deprived areas of Southend and the transformation of the area to make way for vastly improved housing and a significant number of new homes.

“It will also see the creation of new parks and gardens, new public squares, and an improved Queensway improving the estates connectivity to central Southend. We look forward to meeting the local community during this initial stage of consultation which will help shape designs for the regeneration.”

Ian Gilbert, Leader of Southend Council said: "The project will genuinely transform this area of central Southend. It will have both significant social and economic benefits and it is vital that we deliver this project for the benefit of the local and wider community.

“I am pleased to see the LLP carry out a number of public exhibitions and consultation with local people as the plans progress.

“This is a massive project for Southend-on-Sea and with a project of this size, there will inevitably be elements of the initial plans that provoke debate and different views and it is therefore really important that people attend the initial consultation events and have their say as the LLP progress their design and proposals towards a planning application.”

John Synnuck, Chief Executive for Swan Housing, said: “Swan have been taking on complex regenerations just like Better Queensway for the last 25 years and so we are delighted to be working to bring about the long-awaited regeneration of Queensway.

“As part of Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP, we want to work with local people to transform Queensway from an isolated and aging estate into a thriving community right in the centre of Southend-on-Sea.

“I therefore want to urge local people to engage with this first consultation period to help us draw up the proposals for the site ready for further consultation in the New Year and then the submission of a planning application.”

The exhibition dates, times and venues are as follows: Wednesday 23 October - All Saints Church hall 

3pm to 8pm Saturday 26 October - The Forum

10am to 2pm Monday 28 October - Twenty One Western Esplanade

8am to 1pm Wednesday 30 October - Cliffs Pavilion

12pm to 5pm

A non-staffed exhibition will also be available to view in the Civic Centre during office hours, and a project website will also be launched next week.