Council to crack down on Southend and Leigh's derelict and neglected sites with launch of “Dirty Dozen” list

December 11, 2025

Council launches “Dirty Dozen” list to tackle Southend’s worst derelict sites

New policy pressures owners to develop, sell, or face enforcement action

Targeted approach aims to boost investment, improve city environment, and reduce blight

Southend-on-Sea City Council is cracking down on the blight of derelict and neglected sites by naming and shaming the city’s top 12 offenders through a new initiative called the “Dirty Dozen” list.

The Joint Administration has set this out as a priority for 2025/26 to target and enforce against unoccupied, deteriorating buildings, as well as those that are unsafe or encroaching on public space, taking inspiration from a successful ‘Dirty 30’ initiative used by Christchurch, New Zealand, to tackle long-term derelict sites.

The City Council has developed a new policy for derelict and neglected sites, designed to bring about faster, more visible improvements by focusing enforcement and support where it is most needed.

The policy will:

Work with site owners to bring properties back into use or encourage sale to someone who can deliver

Reduce the number of derelict or stalled sites over time

Promote inward investment and send a clear message that stalled opportunities must be delivered - or transferred to someone who can

Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council, said: “The launch of the Dirty Dozen list is important to us because neglected or derelict sites and buildings that fall into disrepair lead to negative perceptions of the city for visitors and investors, which holds back the city's potential.

"We want a thriving, vibrant city where people enjoy living, shopping, working, and visiting. Empty homes, boarded shops, derelict sites, and unbuilt developments go against our vision to build a city to be proud of so we're calling time on inaction and saying enough is enough.

The Dirty Dozen

The current list of sites – reviewed regularly and updated as appropriate – includes:

The Kursaal, Southchurch Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2YX

7-11 Elmer Approach, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NE

Marine Plaza, Southchurch Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EY

New Empire Theatre Site, 22 Alexandra Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1BU

Fisherman’s Wharf, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE

170-174 High Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1JS

25 Prince Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS2 6RL

153A, 153B, 153C and 155 Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7EL

The Old Vienna Site, 162 Eastwood Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 3AG

26 Leigh Hill, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2DN

Pier Hill Retail Units, Pier Hill (beneath Park Inn Plaza), Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2AL

823-827, 827A, 829-837 (odd numbers) London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 9TE

These sites are the initial focus of the policy and have been published on the council’s website. The aim is that, as progress is made, fewer than a dozen sites will remain on the list.