Southend United Football Club
Fossetts Farm, Southend-on-Sea – Southend United Football Club
Southend United Football Club Stadium Relocation Applications Submitted
PowerHaus Consultancy are proud to announce the submission of the planning applications for the relocation of Southend United Football Club to Fossetts Farm. The new 21,000 seat football stadium is proposed to be developed on greenfield land to the north of Southend-on-Sea and will be supported by enabling retail and leisure development of up to 36,000sqm and over 375 new homes. The scheme also provides football training facilities for the first team, football academy and for the community.
A hybrid application has been submitted to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council for the relocation of Southend United Football Club to Fossetts Farm, phased development of 21,000 seat stadium, hotel and conference facilities with residential, retail, cinema and leisure, stand-along residential, two soccer domes (one for community use) and related car parking access and landscaping. Outline permission is sought for the retail/leisure element of the scheme to enable a future retail operator to tailor the design detailing to suit their needs.
An associated application for full planning permission has been submitted to Rochford District Council for the development of a First Team Training Centre (2,073sqm), four football pitches, stadium parking, flood attenuation measures, related car parking, access and landscaping.
The applications have been submitted following extensive pre-application engagement with the two Councils, public and other stakeholders, facilitated by PowerHaus without the use of an external PR agency. Both applications are supported by a comprehensive Environmental Statement, coordinated by PowerHaus Consultancy, who project managed the submission.
Director Mary Power has been working with the Football Club for 10 years to achieve SUFC Chairman Ron Martin’s ambition to provide a new home for the Club which both supports and befits it ambitions for promotion. Permission was granted by the Secretary of State in 2008 for a similar scale development following a call-in inquiry and recommendations to granted permission by both Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Rochford District Council, overseen by Power, then Director of Commercial Planning of at Savills.
The focal point in the current masterplan is the striking stadium design created by Populous architects, which (in collaboration with CZWG architects) includes a hotel and PRS residential integrated into the north stand. The seating bowl and pitch is partially sunk into the ground to ameliorate its visual impact on the Green Belt to the north and Scheduled Ancient Monument to the east.
The masterplan has an exemplary focus on the experience of the site by all users and in the creation of a sense of place, the design of public spaces such as the Fan Plaza and Supporters has been shaped by the way in which SUFC wish people to enjoy the space.
The strategic development aims to be transformative for both the economic development of the football club and the town of Southend, whilst providing substantial social and community benefits.
