No decision yet on flats bid (From Thurrock Gazette)

No decision yet on flats bid

7:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News

PLANS for two blocks of flats near Southend Road have been put on hold.

Thurrock Council’s planning committee requested a site visit at a recent meeting to determine the suitability of the location, pictured, for eight new flats.

The modern design, with bowed roof and wooden cladding, was considered appropriate by planning officers “as it is the bridge between the commercial and residential” areas, but was recommended for refusal as the developer had not completed an agreement to “contribute to the local infrastructure” as per planning policy.

The land, which is accessed via College Road, currently has no defined use. It is being used for storage with no restriction on access times. The plans included making improvements to the access road off College Road for traffic and pedestrians.

But local resident Karen Thompson said: “The intended buildings and types of materials that will be used will be entirely out of character with the surrounding area.

“It will also be very close to existing houses, creating disturbance, we will lose what little privacy we have already.”

The developer John Lawrence said: “These plans would make a positive contribution to the area.

“This site is a scab on the face of Thurrock.”

Mr Lawrence insisted he was prepared to pay the contribution but poor communication from the council had not made it possible for this to be agreed in time.

As a result, the application was deferred, allowing for the committee to undertake a site visit and for the applicant to agree a sum of contributions.