£500m project to be developed by joint venture between Swan and the council

Southend council has granted permission to a £500m redevelopment of the Queensway estate in the Essex town due to provide 1,760 new homes.

The scheme, being developed by a joint venture between the council and Swan housing association, will also include 10,000 sq m of commercial space, public realm improvements and a new public park.

The outline permission, alongside a detailed consent for highways works, means that work can begin to demolish four blocks on the existing estate containing more than 400 homes.

Better Queensway- play area. Credit - LDA Design + Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP

Swan said that the Better Queensway regeneration scheme will act as a catalyst for improvements in Southend’s town centre, and see £500m invested in the development.

The scheme will provide 512 affordable homes, with 300 of these available for social rent. Swan said every home will have its own private outdoor space.

The scheme has been jointly designed by architects dRMM and LDA Design.

Better Queensway- public realm. Credit - dRMM + Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP