Portico Maintenance

The Portico refurbishment is nearing completion.  The final block will be completed w/c 9th December

Fibre Installation

Hyperoptic are continuing to install the fibre optic network around the estate and in to each block. The works are scheduled for completion end of Jan / beginning of Feb 2025​

Planned Building Works

As many of you will already be aware the Freeholder has obtained planning permission to develop the area of Marks Court known as the Rose Garden with the erection of an additional 3 storey block comprising 4 self-contained flats.

Details of the development can be found via Southend City Council’s web planning portal, which may be accessed at www.publicaccess.southend.gov.uk/online-applications and searching using the following reference 21/00641/FUL. Planning permission was granted back in July 2021 and to avoid permission lapsing, the Freeholder is required to make a material start of the project within 3 years of permission having been granted.

Without any prior notice having been given to either Marks Estate Southchurch Avenue Co Ltd (MESA LTD) or Fowler & Spenceley Property Management (FSPM) as MESA’s agent, the freeholder’s surveyors were on site last week carrying out some initial site investigations into existing services within the vicinity of the new building. The surveyors were challenged whilst on site by one of the MESA Board members and by several other residents, at which time they confirmed the purpose of their visit.

Subsequently Pier Management, as the Freeholder’s agent, advised that it was their client’s intention to commence work on site on the 26th June 2024. It is understood that this work will include the fencing off of the site and the excavation of the foundations. This is, as mentioned above, primarily to ensure that the planning permission they hold does not expire. Although Pier have given assurances that it is the Freeholder’s intention that this work will be undertaken with the minimum of inconvenience to residents no further detail has been provided.

This is not a project that is supported by MESA LTD who, having taken independent legal advice, understand that although there are restrictions within the Trust Deed that prohibit extending the existing buildings, there is nothing which prevents the Freeholder from building an entirely separate, additional residential block.  Both MESA LTD and FSPM will be keeping a close watch on the development, both during this initial phase and as it progresses, to ensure any disruption to residents is kept to a minimum and where necessary, will be bringing any concerns to the attention of Pier Management.

Requests have been submitted via FSPM to Pier Management to obtain further details of these works, to include:

* A copy of the relevant Health & Safety documents.

* Details of the project insurance.

* A method statement detailing how disruption will be minimised during any construction works and how the existing roadways and parking facilities are to be protected and kept clean.

* How the residents are to be compensated for the loss of the rose garden and whether there are plans for it to be relocated at the Freeholder’s expense elsewhere on the Court.

* A timeline for the proposed works

​ We will provide further updates as and when additional information is made available to us. ​ ​

Fibre Upgrade

FSPM and the MESA Trustees are currently working with a number of service providers to install Marks Court with full fibre connectivity to every property A number of site surveys have already taken place and are under consideration ​ The installation will make use of the current infrastructure to keep disruption to a minimum ​ There will be no cost for the initial site installation ​ Dates & schedule of works to be confirmed shortly