South East Essex Green Party

07/09/2026

Local Government Reorganisation is on hold. The Greens have been warning about rushing into a top-down reorganisation since January 2025 when proposals were brought forward to Council.

Here's our statement:

Southend Green Group has reacted with a mixture of relief and frustration to the Government’s decision to review plans for local government reorganisation in Essex, saying its concerns about the process have now been vindicated after almost two years of wasted time and public resources.

29/08/2026

'Southend needs new homes, that doesn’t mean accepting development at any cost'❌

28/08/2026

Read our latest Press Release 👇

Green Party Councillor Cllr Richard Longstaff, who sits on the Planning Committee, has voted against proposals to build 2,000 homes on Southend’s Green Belt.At Thursday’s Planning Committee meeting, eight of the ten councillors decided to reject the planning application.

28/08/2026

🔴The plans will now be referred to the Secretary of State

27/08/2026

We're pleased that the Planning Committee voted to reject proposals for 2,000 homes on our Green Belt.

Eight of the ten committee members voted against the application, including our own Cllr Richard Longstaff.

But the fight isn't over. The development will now go to the Secretary of State, there is a separate application for 3,000 homes on the neighbouring site, and we still have the emerging Local Plan process to get through.

We will continue doing everything we can to protect our Green Belt, natural habitats and valuable agricultural land, and push back against unsustainable development at a perilous time for our environment and planet.

This is a win, but the campaign continues. 🌿

25/08/2026

We need to focus on delivering the 1.4 million homes already with planning, and look at new ways of utilising brownfield sites to deliver homes in the right place and at the right price.

The Greens said a different approach to housing was needed to protect green space👇

23/08/2026

Burn(ham) baby Burn

No wonder Labour wants more drilling in the North Sea.

22/08/2026

Our Councillor's comments following news that the Labour-led administration has requested more time from the Government to complete Southend’s Local Plan.

The fight to save the greenbelt is far from over!

Southend Green Group has responded following news that the Labour-led administration has requested more time from the Government to complete Southend’s Local Plan.

21/08/2026

💅🏻

11/05/2026

Still deciding whether to join the Green Party? 🌱

Here’s why more people across Southend are backing the Greens:

• We doubled our number of Councillors
• We won 17.4% of the vote across Southend, just behind the Conservatives
• 600+ local members and growing
• We’re the only party that can beat Reform in 2027

Be part of the hopeful, greener alternative.

👉 Join today from £6/year: join.greenparty.org.uk