The planning application for the runway extension has indeed been lodged with Southend Borough Council and involves a 300m extension to the existing 1,605m runway to give a TODA on both runways of 1,799m (the maximum for a Code 3C runway which it will remain due to its 37m width). The balance of the paved length will form the enlarged RESA at the Eastern/railway end.
Following this planning application and the draft Section 106 agreement agreed with the Council last week, another planning application has now been made to Rochford District Council for the construction of a new control tower. The plans show this to be some 90 feet in height with its location being shown as between the existing Eastern taxyway and the railway line, just North of the new station car park currently under construction. The station work itself has now progressed from the groundworks with structures starting to be built above ground.
If this wasn't SEN, with its long history of promising much and delivering little, you could actually be excused for thinking that this is the beginning of a new era for the place.