A VETS and two houses are set to be built on part of a former pub’s site after new plans were brought forward.

The King Canute pub in Canvey Road, Canvey, will continue to operate as a temporary convenience store, but the car park and beer garden are set to be redeveloped to make way for a vets and two three-bedroom houses.

As part of the ambitious plans, the former Eclipse barbershop will also be demolished.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party and Canvey central ward councillor, is disappointed the King Canute will not re-open as a pub.

He said: “How they are going to get two houses and a vets on that site is beyond me.

“I’m pleased they are going to keep the King Canute, but a lot of people were hoping it was going to be a Wetherspoons or a Harvester.

“I don’t think it will work as a convenience store, it’s got too much competition.”

Fellow ward councillor Peter May added: “It sounds like overdevelopment to me. There doesn’t seem to have been much thought behind the plans.

“The convenience store that is there at the moment doesn’t have a lot going on, so hopefully that will improve.

“I’m pleased the original building is staying, because it is part of the history of the island.

“I’ve been on Canvey since I was two years-old, so I’ve been brought up with the King Canute being there.

“I knowwe can’t really dictate which businesses come to the island, but we can have a wish list.”

An online petition to get Wetherspoons to take over the King Canute received more than 400 signatures earlier this year, but the chain started looking at other venues on the island.

Ray Howard, county and borough councillor, questioned if there was a need for another vets on the island as there is already Riverside, in Long Road, and Medivet, in Furtherwick Road.

Mr Howard said: “It’s a difficult situation. It will tidy up the site, which I welcome because it’s looking very tired at the moment, and the King Canute building is staying.

“But I don’t really see how it can keep operating as a convenience store, so I’d like to know what the long-term plans for it are. I’m not sure there is a need for another vets on Canvey.

“I’m very disappointed that the company which bought the site didn’t do what the community was asking and open a familyfriendly pub and restaurant.”

The veterinary practice will include three consultation rooms, a clinic, bereavement room, and 13 parking spaces.

Access to the homes, which will each have two parking spaces, will be via Edith Road.

Barbershop set to be demolished

FORMER barbershop Eclipse moved two months ago to make way for the redevelopment of the King Canute site.

Owner Ian Featz, 27, who has ten years experience in the industry, opened a new businsses, Lawless, in nearby Long Road. His former shop will now be demolished and replaced with a vets under the latest plans for the site.

Vets 4 Pets will not have facilities for overnight care or out of hours treatment. It will be open between 8.30am and 7pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm on Saturdays and 10am until 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

The two-storey, three-bedroom houses will each have a detached garage.

Jeremy Heppell, planning agent for developers Novellus, said: “The proposed development will help to maximise the use of a brownfield site, while ensuring the amenity of the existing and future residents is protected. The proposals will ensure the site remains consistent with its designation as a shopping area.

“These uses will provide valued community facilities and services in close proximity to an existing local population, as well as local jobs.”

Landmark site was empty for a year

THE iconic King Canute stood empty for a year before re-opening as a temporary shop.

London-based property developer Foundation Property and Capital bought the site from the Stonegate Pub Company for more than £630,000 last summer.

While the firm insisted the original features of the building would be retained, it was reluctant to reveal what would replace the pub.

J D Wetherspoon entered talks earlier this year, but later backed out. It expressed an interest in opening elsewhere on the island, and approached Majestic Bingo, which runs Rio Bingo, in Furtherwick Road.

However, the price offered was not high enough to tempt bosses to sell up.

The Co-op was also tipped to take over the King Cante, which is operating as a makeshift shop, stocking cutprice household goods and tins of food, but talks stalled.