In October, the Environment Agency plans to start a 2.5 year programme to replace the revetments on the beach side of the sea wall. To support the works they’re proposing to build the main compound on the grassed area next to Leigh Beck Park, just metres from the front doors of people living on Leigh Beck Lane and Athol Close. 

The grass will be removed to be replaced with gravel and a solid 2.4m hoarding will be built  around the site. Works are planned for up to 16 hours a day with lorries arriving and leaving regularly. LED lighting will be placed on the hoarding just a short distance from people’s bedrooms. 

While the Environment Agency says that other sites have been considered, there’s no evidence of this in the planning pack. 

We understand the importance of these works however, we don’t know why a field that is close to people’s homes, popular and well used has been chosen above other options. 

As local residents, we ask that Castle Point Council rejects the current scheme and instead works with the Environment Agency to identify a more suitable site for the main compound, which does not have an unacceptable impact on our community.