While the campaigns against overdevelopment on the Estate and the opportunity to purchase the restrictive covenants have attracted most publicity, the work and achievements of BERA have been far ranging:
- Enabling leasehold owners to purchase the freehold of their properties at a fair price.
- Improving the quality of the environment by involvement in the planting of new trees and shrubs in Thorpe Bay Gardens, at St Augustine’s Church and around the whole of the Thorpe Bay.
- Stopping proposals to develop blocks of flats along Thorpe Esplanade between Clieveden Road to the west and Maplin Way to the east.
- The golf course Club House – lobbying successfully with other local action groups, against plans to build a residential estate of 880 homes on the 92 acre site of Thorpe Hall Golf Club.
- View from the Club House – leading campaigns to make the Estate’s roads and pavements safer for everyone and the provision of disabled access and crossing points throughout the area.
- Advising and campaigning in respect of parking improvements and changes in both the removal and addition of new restrictions in conjunction with the local authority.
- Free advice for members on personal safety including the provision of personal and panic alarms at no charge (in conjunction with the Police and Fire Service).
- The Broadway shopping area – provision of Christmas lights and street markets in The Broadway.
- Community activities such as our free monthly coffee mornings, particularly for the elderly and residents living alone.
- Regular newsletters and ready access to local councillors (the chairman and treasurer are both elected councillors, as well as 2 other members of the association).
- Provision of recycling sacks on request for residents who run out of supplies.
- Keeping residents informed about future local and national plans that might impact on them and their families, such as proposed changes to local A&E services, forthcoming road repairs, transport problems etc.
- Continue to provide advice and assistance to resident associations in other parts of the UK that are faced with problems such as restrictive covenants, with whom we are happy to share our experiences and expertise.
- Advising and helping members concerned about plans for inappropriate or potential over-development close to their own homes.
- Winter storage of boats at the yacht club – working with other local organisations such as the Southend Beach Hut Owner’s Association and the police and other services to keep them informed about matters such as vandalism, anti-social behaviour and burglary so that appropriate actions can be taken.