PLANS for a five-storey block of flats in Wickford were thrown out by councillors after they deemed the building “too ugly” for the town centre.

Basildon Council planning officers had recommended the building, including ground floor shops, in the Broadway, should be given approval.

However, planning committee members rejected the proposals, also arguing there was inadequate parking provision for the 21 flats.

Previously approved applications for the site, which would involve the demolition of the 1912 Old Bank Building, have involved fewer flats and more parking spaces.

But the new application would have seen only five parking spaces for the block.

Housing developments usually require one parking space per one-bedroom flat, but the requirement can be reduced in town centre locations because of the availability of public car parks.

Adele Brown, Labour councillor for Fryerns, said: “It’s hideous. I don’t like it and I have huge issues with the amount of parking.

“These mythical public car parks are in theory being used 5,000 times per day.”

The meeting also heard concerns the development would add to future parking problems in the town.

An application for a new GP surgery in Market Road was approved earlier this year, but will include only 20 parking spaces.

Stephen Hillier, Tory councillor for Langdon Hills, said: “It is possibly a nice looking building, but it is in entirely the wrong place.

“We have to look at each application on its merits, but I think it would be a dangerous road to follow regarding parking.

“We all know the town centre car park managed by this council never has enough spaces for the people who want to use it.

“There really are no publicly available spaces.”

Alan Ball, Ukip councillor for Wickford Castledon, said: “I think it belongs in the centre of London personally. It is too dominant on that corner and there is just no parking around there.

“It should be one parking space for one flat and if you let them get away with it, they will just provide no spaces.

“You have got to draw a line somewhere.”

Kerry Smith, Independent councillor for Nethermayne, said: “Architecturally, it is an ugly building.

“Pulling down a 100-year-old building for this eyesore is clearly out of keeping with the area.”

The planning committee voted unanimously to reject the application.