BUSINESS leaders have fired a warning shot at Southend councillors in a co-ordinated bid to overturn a controversial plan mapping out the town’s future for the next five years.

The powerful lobbying group is made up of Adventure Island boss Philip Miller, Denise Rossiter, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce and Paul Thompson, chairman of the Seafront Traders’ Association.

They have joined forces in an effort to persuade the council to re-visit the Southend Central Area Action plan which is due to be discussed at tonight’s council meeting.

Traders have bitterly opposed the plan, which marks out areas for future major development in the town, because they claim there is a lack of adequate parking provision. They also argue it ignores the importance of tourism to the town.

In his letter, Mr Miller told councillors: “The ramifications for the seafront are seismic if you get this wrong.”

Mr Miller said consultants who had advised the council “do not have a clue about seafronts or tourism”.

He also ridiculed claims only 25 per cent of traders’ customers come by car, saying their own survey proved there was a “dire shortage of parking” which was believed to be deterring visitors.

He said: “I personally have never experienced so much anti-seafront feelings in over 40 years of trading.”

The chamber of commerce said it was concerned large developments were about to take over car parks like Seaway.

Ms Rossiter said a thriving tourism industry, needs to be “nurtured and sustained” but she added: “The removal of parking spaces will not do that and will undoubtedly encourage potential visitors to go elsewhere.”

Mr Thompson added “anti car” fantasy policies would lead to the slow death of the High Street and residents’ lives would be “blighted by congestion”.

But Mark Flewitt, councillor responsible for housing and planning, hit back. He said: “This has been one of the worst pieces of psychological lobbying I have come across in my life. We should push this out to full pubic consultation so that everyone has the opportunity to evaluate it.”