Briar Cottage plan on Canvey thrown out - for a third time

The proposal to demolish Briar Cottage in Leige Avenue, Canvey was again thrown out by Castle Point Council after two previous applications failed too.

The 11-flat plan included 17 parking spaces and was expected to use parts of the two previous plans from way back in 2012.

Peter Grieg, councillor for Canvey Winter Gardens, said: “What can I say is, here we go again for a third time!

“I do not know what else to say other than I have been approached by residents because they are concerned about the 17 cars going through that road, because it is a very narrow road.

“Emergency vehicles going through there if they need to will probably have difficulty doing that and difficulty trying to turn into that road.”

Canvey Town Council had also objected to the application due to its impact on traffic, inadequate parking and potential of overdevelopment.

Dave Blackwell, councillor for Canvey Central, commended the council’s planning officers for their recommendation to refuse the application.

He said: “I think what the developer has tried to do here is get more on the site than officers will allow.

“Residents were a bit upset because they feel there was not enough consultation about this new plan.

“We have to draw a line under this now.

“Yes, we do need housing in certain areas but we do not need housing that is not attractive and that will cause over development to the street scene.

“I have to go along with what the officers have said.”

The planning officers’ report said that although the proposed plan is “acceptable in principle”, it will prove “excessive” in its size and it “presents a visually poor addition to the streetscape”.

After the plans were refused, Simon Hart, development committee chairman, encouraged members to raise their concerns at the earliest opportunity. He said: “Really these things should have input and the members should speak with developers or officers if they have concerns about the application, soon as possible.”