Planning applications for south Essex

FARM buildings could be converted into storage units. An application has been submitted to Basildon Council for a change of use to buildings at Crays Hall Farm, in Outwood Farm Road, Billericay. Basildon Council is expected to make a decision on the plans in December.

A HOUSE in Leigh will soon have a veranda on the front after plans were approved by Southend Council.

The owners of 13 Cliff Parade applied to build a veranda on the front of their home and render the building.

Officers at the council have now granted permission for the work to go ahead, which will re-establish the original design of the Victorian building.

Exposed brickwork on the building will also be rendered to match the rest of the house, before being finished with white paint.

DEVELOPERS have submitted formal plans for a 24-home development along a narrow strip of land in Wickford.

Keepmoat Homes wants to build the development, which would consist of three and four-bedroom houses, in Radwinter Avenue.

The land was bought from Basildon Council, and the company held a public exhibition on its proposals in September.

David Harrison, Ukip councillor for Wickford Park, said: “There is already a large volume of traffic using the road and this would only get worse.”

Basildon Council is due to rule on the application in February.

A PRIMARY school in Wickford has submitted plans to build three new classrooms, an allweather sports pitch, and more parking spaces.

The plans for Abacus Primary School, in Tresco Way, are likely to cost in the region of £1.4 million.

If the the proposals are approved by Basildon Council, the new classrooms will allow the school to take up to 105 extra pupils over the next seven years.

Work on the project is expected to start in February 2016, with the new buildings ready to open for the start of the new academic year in September 2016. A final decision on the plans is likely to be made next month.

A NEWSAGENT in Langdon Hills has applied for a licence to sell alcohol from 6am until 11pm daily.

McColls, in the Triangle shopping centre, has submitted a licensing application with Basildon Council.

Public representations about the application must be lodged by Monday if they are to be considered by councillors.

PLANS to demolish two underused garage blocks to build new homes have been hailed as “vital” for meeting Basildon’s housing needs.

Basildon Council will build three houses in Rettendon Gardens, Wickford, and four houses in Victoria Road, Laindon, as part of its new homes programme.

It believes the twobedroom homes will help accommodate small families struggling to find housing.

The two schemes were granted final approval at a planning meeting last week, after similar plans for four homes in the Fryerns area were approved earlier this year.

Construction work on the first of the three schemes in due to begin in the spring.

Tory council leader Phil Turner said: “These housing schemes are vital as the economy of the borough picks up and demand for housing expands.

“Not only do they give Basildon residents the good quality, sustainable homes they deserve, but they also serve to improve the local area.

“Residents particularly need two-bed houses as there is a shortage in the borough.”

For more information, email developmentand investment@ basildon.gov.uk or call 01268 533333.

THE latest work on Southend Pier should be completed by next Easter.

Throughout 2015, Southend Council’s contractors have been working on urgent repairs to the lower decks of Pier Head.

It came following a structural report last year which revealed the crumbling pier could have to shut in five years if no work was carried out.

The second phase will be completed by next spring, the council insists.

PLANNING officers have granted permission to construct a single-storey rear extension to a residential property in Leigh.

The plan will see the rear extension accompanied by a new internal staircase at 8 High Cliff Drive, Leigh.

The application was initially submitted to Southend Council in August and their planning officers have now granted the application conditional planning permission after no objections were raised by neighbours.

CONTROVERSIAL plans for flats on Chalkwell seafront have been thrown out.

Elmore Homes wanted to demolish three Edwardian houses in The Leas, Chalkwell, and replace then with a fivestorey block of swanky flats.

Southend Council’s development control voted to refuse the proposal on the grounds of over-development and it being out of character with the area.

Eleven-storey block Nirvana is only a few rows down.