Planners & Development Economists

Roger Tym & Partners
Roger Tym & Partners

Southend

Economic and physical regeneration framework

Southend-on-Sea has a population of some 160,000 and calls on a travel-to-work and retail catchment of twice this size.  It is one of the main settlements in the Thames Gateway and its success is critical to the Gateway's growth strategy.  However, the town underperforms for its size, location and economic structure.

Roger Tym & Partners was appointed by Renaissance Southend to prepare a Regeneration Framework.  Our work would guide the investment needed to reverse the adverse economic trends in Southend and realise the area's substantial potential.

The key features of the regeneration framework are:
  • baseline analysis of the local economy
  • a borough-wide strategic plan
  • identification of the town's economic drivers
  • delivery strategy
We placed the town within its wider, regional context and analysed economics, geography, property market, transport and urban design.  This helped us understand why the local economy underperforms and provide an evidence base for our recommendations.  We provided Renaissance Southend with recommendations on:
  • breaking down and removing the causes for economic underperformance
  • prospective demand forecasts
  • opportunities for development

The Regeneration Framework, adopted in 2006 and since incorporate into Southend's Core Strategy, provides the necessary evidence base and delivery strategy for sustainable economic development in Southend.

Since the Regeneration Framework was adopted, we have supported the URC in the preparation of its Core Strategy (and given evidence at Examination).  We have also prepared the delivery plan for the Central Area Masterplan, which provides the detailed work needed to achieve the objectives set our for the town centre in our Regeneration Framework.