Southend United Football Club Relocation to Fossetts Farm

Planning Permission is now resolved to grant. Heritage, Green Belt, transport and noise were all significant planning issues addressed by PowerHaus Consultancy resulting in a referral to the Secretary of State, who did not call in the application.

PowerHaus Consultancy has recently submitted amendments 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, stand-alone residential, two soccer domes (one for community use) and related car parking access and landscaping. Outline permission is sought for 118,000sqms of residential floorspace (1,114 units) and up to 1,609sqms of mixed use flexible floorspace and 280sqms of community floorspace to serve the new residential development.

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.

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 benefits it ambitions for promotion. Permission was granted by the Secretary of State in 2008 for a different form of development following a call-in inquiry and recommendations to grant permission by both Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Rochford District Council, overseen by Mary 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 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 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.

In response to the Club’s intention to relocate to a new stadium at Fossetts Farm, an application for full planning permission has been submitted on behalf of Southend United Football Club for residential redevelopment of Roots Hall Stadium. The relocation of SUFC to Fossetts Farm would leave the Roots Hall stadium site vacant. It is the Club’s intention to redevelop the site to help meet the housing needs of Southend and improve the legibility and appearance of the site, whilst preserving and enhancing the adjoining conservation area.

The redevelopment of Roots Hall Stadium proposes the demolition of all existing structures and buildings and the erection of 9 buildings of 2 to 8 storeys, providing 502 residential units, provision of car and cycle parking, access and landscaping works. The proposed quantum of development has been reached through several design iterations and with regard to pre-application discussions with Southend Borough Council.

The application is supported by a comprehensive Environmental Statement, coordinated by PowerHaus Consultancy, who project managed the submission.

The strategic development meets national and local planning policy requirements is highly sustainable in design and location terms and will meet pressing local housing needs, particularly affordable housing.