Former bank site on Canvey Island to become new flats
Plans have been approved for re-development
A “tired” former bank site on an Essex island will be redeveloped into a block of 21 flats, despite concerns around parking and potential traffic issues. The proposals, by Barclay Corner Limited, include the demolition of an existing building and construction of the new block, at 1 High Street, Canvey Island.
The site has the old Barclays Bank building on it. The proposed block “would be taller than any of the nearby buildings”, a council meeting was told.
Councillors gave the plans the green light at the Castle Point Borough Council development management committee meeting on Tuesday (June 9). The proposals also include one bedroom flats, with eight affordable housing properties.
The ground floor will include 17 parking spaces, as well as some office space and cycle storage.
Independent councillor Carole Sach raised various concerns about the plans. Speaking at the meeting, she said: “It will completely over dominate every single building around it. It could set a precedent, this is four storeys high, as far as I am aware there are no purpose built four storey buildings on Canvey.”
She also said she has concerns about the amount of parking and fears that deliveries at the site could cause “even more traffic chaos.”
Rob Lillis, fellow Independent councillor, said: “This is a brownfield site and for me, it’s just the sort of development we need to be promoting. The parking is a concern, I recognise that, and we all expressed that concern on the site visit.” He added that 21 flats are “welcome.”
The planning officer told the meeting that as far as the principal of development is concerned this application “ticks all the boxes for a town centre brownfield redevelopment site.” He also said the flats proposed will “provide custom for local businesses and support the local economy.” He added that the affordable housing offer “exceeds” the council’s target.