Southend seeks developer for £400m Queensway regeneration

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is advertising for a joint venture development partner for a £400m housing regeneration project.The council is looking to transform the Queensway site in central Southend-on-Sea. It is proposing a 30-year partnership to fund, develop and manage the housing-led regeneration project, which has the opportunity to create approximately 1,300 new homes.The Better Queensway Regeneration Project is designed to create better housing and a new community, reconnect the Queensway area with the High Street and Southchurch Road, transform the road layout and create improved public space.The contract notice is published today. Interested bidders have until 10th May to declare themselves. A preferred bidder is planned to be announced by May 2019.The council has set requirements going into the procurement process, including the demolition of four tower blocks and an increase on the level of affordable housing currently provided. The partnership will also be required to offer existing council tenants on the site the chance to return via an assured tenancy on the same terms and conditions.