Latest news with #CastlePoint
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Closed south Essex tennis courts re-open after £85,000 refurbishment
A SET of shuttered community tennis courts have reopened to the public following an £85,000 refurbishment. Tennis courts at the King George V playing fields on Canvey's Poplar Road have reopened following a major renovation described as creating "first-class facilities that can be enjoyed for years to come.' The project was funded by Castle Point Council and delivered as part of the Lawn Tennis Association's largest ever nation-wide facility improvement project. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. Canvey Island Independent Party Mayor of Castle Point, Barry Campagna said: 'The reopening of the King George V playing fields marks a proud moment for our community. 'Thanks to our work with the Lawn Tennis Association, we now have first-class facilities that can be enjoyed for years to come.' The courts have undergone extensive work including resurfacing, repainting and the installation of new fencing, nets and gate access systems. The Lawn Tennis Association's nationwide programme of investment is seeing thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country. The refurbished courts will host Local Tennis Leagues, giving people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social competitions. Read more Faces of gang members jailed for 34 years over Southend violence last summer Bookmakers release odds for National League title race 'Explosions and loud bangs' rock homes as blaze spread across Basildon gardens Scott Lloyd, Lawn Tennis Association chief executive, said: 'We're delighted to see park tennis courts across Canvey officially re-open to the public, and in better shape than ever. 'Park tennis courts are vital for providing people with opportunities to pick up a racket, and we want as many people as possible, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to enjoy playing tennis and being active. "Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.' All courts are now available to book via the Lawn Tennis Association website
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Councillors speak out as south Essex farmland is removed from draft housing plan
West Leigh councillors have spoken out after a huge swathe of farmland between Hadleigh and Leigh was removed from a draft local plan. Castle Point Council published their draft plan this week, showing proposals to build 6,196 houses across Castle Point. Residents had been campaigning in large numbers to ensure the draft plan would not include the Salvation Army-owned land by Hadleigh Country Park after it was initially proposed. The newly-published draft plan has now removed this site after months of protests by both Leigh and Hadleigh residents. Owen Cartey, Conservative councillor for West Leigh, said: "Thank you to everybody who has helped our campaign go from strength to strength, whether that was putting up a poster, signing a petition, coming on a march or writing in your concerns to the consultation. "Every bit of action made a difference. "If anything changes in the coming months we will get our megaphones back out and make sure the voice of West Leigh residents is heard loud and clear once again." Lesley Salter, another Conservative councillor for West Leigh, added: "I know residents across West Leigh, particularly those directly backing onto this land will rejoice at this news. "We made sure our neighbours in Castle Point heard our voice loud and clear - no imposing overdevelopment on our border without listening to us first. "This just goes to show the power we all have to make positive change happen in our community."
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Councillors praise value of Castle Point community leisure centres after visit
Councillors have praised the value of community leisure centres in Castle Point following a recent visit. Castle Point councillors Tom Gibson and Rob Lillis toured Runnymede and Waterside Leisure Centres on Tuesday, June 17, alongside Shane Williams, assistant director for recreation. They explored the facilities, discussed future plans, and saw how the centres are supporting residents' health and wellbeing. Rob Lillis, councillor responsible for health, wellbeing and housing, said: "It was fantastic to see so many young people making the most of our leisure centres. "At a time when childhood obesity is on the rise, it's more important than ever to provide accessible, active spaces for all." Tom Gibson, councillor responsible for special projects and assets, said the centres play a key role in the community. He said: "We're proud of the work being done and excited about what's to come. "These centres are vital to the health and happiness of our residents."
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Photos show how £2 million refurb could transform south Essex shopping centre
NEW photos and CGIs show how a much-anticipated £2 million refurbishment of an ageing Canvey shopping centre could entirely transform its look and feel. The modernisation of the Knightswick Shopping Centre was given the go-ahead last week thanks to an additional £800,000 investment from Castle Point Council. Modern - The refurbishment would transform the look of the shopping centre (Image: Ingleton Wood) Scheduled to begin in February 2026, planned improvements include upgraded lighting, flooring, ceilings, and infrastructure, with the goal of creating 'a brighter, safer, and more inviting space'. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. The approval of an additional investment of £816,700 increases the overall budget for the centre's refurbishment to more than £2 million. Now - The entrances to the centre are unloved and outdated (Image: Ingleton Wood) Plans - The entrances would be upgraded to be more welcoming and modern (Image: Ingleton Wood) When the council purchased the Foksville Road property in 2019, the refurbishment was announced as a key part of efforts to regenerate Canvey's town centre but has been hit by delays since then. Read more Passengers frustrated after Southend flights re-scheduled to different airports Autistic teen left in boiling Southend school minibus for hours outside driver's home 'It is pitiful' - Jeff Stelling slams ticket allocation for play-off final at Wembley In addition to improvements to lighting and infrastructure, the modernisation will also introduce accessible entrance doors, Wi-Fi, and digital screens to the centre. Previous plans for a £1.5 million refurbishment of the centre were first unveiled when the council purchased the building in 2019, but the Covid pandemic delayed the project. Now - The main arcade has seen little change since first being built (Image: Ingleton Wood) Plans - Retail booths could line the arcade (Image: Ingleton Wood) Two years ago, the council resolved to allocate additional funds for internal refurbishment of the centre – an investment that has now been released. The Knightswick Shopping Centre was built as part of plans to regenerate Canvey in the late 1970s and houses 28 retail units.
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
‘Old and ugly' shopping centre loved in the 80s set to get major £2million revamp
A DETERIORATING shopping centre which was once popular in the 80s will finally get a major revamp. A local council is expected to splurge £2million to revive the mall to its former glory. 2 The Knightswick Shopping Centre on Canvey Island was built in 1978, and has since lost its charm. Castle Point Council bought the mall in October 2019 and has now made plans to spend £2,154,600 to refurbish the place. During a cabinet meeting on June 18, Tom Gibson, People's Independent Party councillor for special projects and assets, said: 'This is, of course, a good news story, and the investment in and revitalisation of a valued and economically important commercial asset should be welcomed. "To conclude, this is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into a highly valued commercial asset and the heart of our community.' The shopping centre boasts 28 ground-floor shop units inside and around the mall. The original plans, which were approved, called for new lighting, pilasters, ceiling treatments, and floor finishes. The council will also be replacing high-level windows, mall fixtures, fittings and furniture, as well as branding, signage and installing CCTV. The centre's three entry doors will all be completely replaced too. The planning permission for the revamp was granted in December 2023 but the works won't start until February next year. Residents can expect to see an improved mall by June 2026. Fly-through video shows what major Scots city will look like after huge £20m revamp David Blackwell, Canvey Independent leader of the council, said: 'It's been a long journey on this, so it will be good now we can see the works going. "I think really, looking at some of the photos from the architects I think the Knightswick Centre will look absolutely superb when the works are finished next year, so we all look forward to that.' Locals have long been calling for the refurbishment, saying the mall was "very rundown" and "old, ugly and boring". Some people only used it as a shortcut path to the nearest Sainbury's. It comes after a shabby shopping centre in an industrial UK town is set to receive a multi-million-pound revamp. Property developers purchased the town's central shopping centre from former owners late last year, with major plans to transform it.
