
A major housing development could transform green belt land in Great Wakering, with plans unveiled for 950 homes at Tithe Park – half of which the developer says would be designated as “affordable”.
The landowners, Stolkin and Clements (Southend) LLP, have launched a public consultation on the proposals, which would see a new neighbourhood created off Poynters Lane, near Shoebury.
The development would include a mix of housing types and tenures, aimed at meeting local demand, including families and those on Southend Council’s housing waiting list. Alongside the homes, the proposals include:
- 50% affordable housing
- New publicly accessible green spaces integrated throughout the neighbourhood
- Land reserved for a primary school (subject to demand) and a nursery
- A community centre
- Financial contributions towards local infrastructure and services
According to the developers, the homes would be “designed sensitively around the landscape”, with a strong emphasis on green space access.
This latest scheme adds to mounting pressure on the area, following a recently announced 360-home development at Friends Farm, off Shoebury Road – raising local concern over the cumulative impact on village infrastructure, roads and services.

While developers have included land for a potential school, some residents remain sceptical about the delivery of infrastructure.
Sarah South, a local resident, said:
“The thing is that they never provide extra doctors’ surgeries, schools etc. They say that there is room for a school ‘if needed’ but they always get away with not providing any infrastructure.”
Chris Rawlings added:
“Would much rather have the green belt. Many people moved and bought their forever home there because of the countryside.”
The proposal sits on green belt land, which is generally protected from development unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. Developers are likely to argue that the need for housing constitutes such an exception – a growing trend across South East Essex.
Nationally, England faces a chronic housing shortage. The Government has set a long-term target of delivering 300,000 new homes a year, though it has consistently missed that figure. In 2023, just under 235,000 new homes were built. To help bridge the gap, ministers have relaxed some planning rules and increased pressure on councils to identify sites for development – including green belt land in some cases, especially in the South East.
Stolkin and Clements say they intend to submit their application to Rochford Council in late summer. A spokesperson for the developers said:
“This consultation is an opportunity for local people to help shape the emerging plans. We want to ensure this neighbourhood provides high quality homes that reflect local needs, with access to green space and community facilities.”
More detailed plans are expected to be made public in the coming weeks as the consultation continues.