PLANS to demolish the Odeon cinema in West Thurrock have been approved.

The Junction Thurrock Ltd Partnership was granted permission to replace the cinema, in its retail park, with three new retail units, by Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation’s planning committee on Monday.

The committee heard the new development could create up to 50 full-time jobs – Odeon currently employs just ten full-time staff.

No-one was available at Odeon’s head office to comment on the plans, or confirm how much longer the cinema will be open.

The Gazette phoned the cinema directly and staff were unaware of the application to demolish their workplace.

The planning committee also approved plans to transform an empty unit in Lakeside Retail Park into a “health village”.

Lloyds Pharmacy wants to use the former JJB Sports shop to offer traditional pharmacy services, with some retail space, a restaurant and cafe.

As well as the pharmacy, there are plans for an optical business, a hearing centre, physiotherapy space, dental services and skin care and podiatry and independent living sections.

Planning committee member Sunny Crouch said: “This is a really interesting additional amenity for the people of Thurrock and I am happy to support it.”

The committee heard the health village could create up to 30 full-time jobs and 20 part-time positions.