CHALKWELL seafront has been transformed in recent years. Contemporary blocks of flats now dominate the skyline in place of more modest buildings, many of which were built in the Victorian era.

Not everyone is happy with the change, not least neighbours who say their quality of life has suffered.

The most controversial and striking of the new buildings is the massive Nirvana, which towers over its neighbours.

The luxury development, which is under construction in The Leas, at the corner of Grosvenor Road, and Chalkwell Esplanade, was completed in September after 18 months.

Currently clad in scaffolding, Nirvana reaches ten stories into the sky and contains 45 two and three-bedroomed flats and penthouse suites.

It replaced the Grosvenor House Care Home and sits alongside Admirals Place, which is smaller in scale but equally as imposing as Nirvana.

They could soon be joined by another development, a five-storey block of 14 flats, on the corner of the seafront and Crowstone Road.

Plans have just been submitted to Southend Council for the development.

If successful, this proposal would involve the demolition of Crowstone Care Home, an attractive Victorian building, that was once part of a conservation area that no longer exists.

Lib Dem Leigh councillor Peter Wexham said it was probably too late to preserve the old character of Chalkwell seafront.

He said: “These buildings have been allowed to get bigger and bigger.

“I don’t understand how Nirvana got through. I don’t know what the councillors were thinking at the time.

“The problem now is you can’t turn them down. We’ve no arguments against them because they’ve set a precedent.

“You don’t see this happening in Thorpe Bay, but it seems to be happening between Chalkwell and Leigh.

“The developers seem to be able to put up flats wherever they like round there. I don’t know why that is.

Mr Wexham pointed to five-storey Hamilton Grange, opposite Crowstone Care Home as an example of a contemporary development that fitted in better with the older skyline.

He said: “Crowstone care home is a nice-looking building, but it’s not in keeping with the rest of them now.

“They’ve gradually knocked them all down and put these modern things up.” Some angry residents in Bellway Court, Grosvenor Road, which is behind Nirvana, complained they no longer had any sunlight and were seeking legal action against the developers.

One older couple, who live on the ground floor and did not wish to be named, said: “We have to have the lights on at all times of the day.

“We’ve been to the Civic Centre to complain, but we’ve been pushed from pillar to post.

“We complained when this came to planning permission, but it didn’t come to anything.

“We’re going to write to our MP about it. We are entitled to daylight.”

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s an eyesore though it doesn’t affect my light.”

Mr Wexham added: “It’s hard to win legal action because the developer hasn’t done anything wrong. They’ve just followed the council’s permission.

“But I don’t blame residents for trying.”

Pat Henstock, 60, owner of the nearby Grosvenor Hotel, in Grosvenor Road, said: “Development must go ahead, but Nirvana is about four floors too high.

“It’s the size that’s the problem. They’ve set a precedent for other developers now.

“Grosvenor House was a lovely old care home which could have been refurbished.

“We’ve lost many of the views of the seafront from here which we used to have.”

Nirvana ‘had 3-year consultation’

THE Nirvana development was agreed after lengthy consultation with residents and Southend Council, agents Essex Countryside said.

Tony Kelly, manager of Essex Countryside, speaking on behalf of developers Allied Construction, based in Rawreth, said: “I can understand how people feel, but it’s a landmark development.

“In terms of the size and shape, our clients have had a lengthy consultation with the local authority and residents.

“The original application was in 2003, so it was a three-year process. Any concerns would have been considered by the council at the time.

“In terms of lighting, the architects Smith and Metson carried out an extensive study of the sun rising and setting and reported their findings to the council for its consideration.

“The building is being built in accordance with the permission the council gave.

“At the moment it’s a building site, but our client is spending a considerable amount of money on the end product. A number of residents have been on site and have been very supportive and said what a fine building it will look.”

Mr Kelly also said take-up had been high with three reservations out of eight units released so far.

He could not comment on any legal action by local residents.