Flats Green Light

NEW plans to bulldoze an historic Leigh home and replace it with flats are set to get the green light.

Previous proposals to knock down 135 Marine Parade – which has links to Dame Vera Lynn – and replace it with a three-storey building were thrown out by Southend Council’s development control committee, as well as being dismissed on appeal last year.

Now, new proposals filed by Applicants Paul Miller and Peter Hills have produced a design, which the planning inspectorate deem: “acceptable and compliant with the objectives of the relevant development plan policies and guidance.”

The plans aim to demolish the current house, and build a two-storey development with accommodation in the roof space to provide four, two-bedroom flats, with eight parking spaces.

Changes to the design include both reduced width and height, and the deduction from the front of the building by one meter.

Meanwhile, the depth and the proportions of the roof have increased.

Whilst ten letters were submitted in support of the latest application with one resident saying it was the “most acceptable option so far”, the council has also received 18 objections, on the grounds that the development was still “incongruous” and out of step with the traditional character of Marine Parade, the main vernacular of which is early twentieth century houses.

Many community members and councillors have joined forces to oppose the demolition over recent years, underlining the historic importance of the building.

Resident and historian Jim Sanctuary told Leigh News in March this year that the house was not only reputedly linked to “the forces sweetheart,” but that it was once home to the co-founder of Southend’s famous EKCO factory.

Bernard Arscott, chairman of Leigh Town Council, agreed that was a shame to lose an historic “family home” to flats, reportedly adding: “It’s a prominent location.

“It sounds like it’s an improvement on what has previously been contemplated however, it’s still the loss of a building with a lot of character that is very prominent.”

Recommending an approval, the planning inspectorate said: “The replacement of the existing dwelling with four flats is acceptable in principle with the sizes, layouts and external amenity space providing satisfactory standards of accommodation.

“The proposal would have an acceptable impact on the amenities of neighbouring occupiers and the character and appearance of the application site and street scene.”

REPORT BY SOPHIE SLEIGH-JOHNSON.

Read more.

Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news

Contact us. Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighonsea.news

Twitter: @leighonsea_news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighonsea.news