PLANS for 20 new flats on the site of Leigh Car Wash in the heart of town have been recommended for refusal by Leigh Town Council.

The planning application was submitted to Southend Council last month and, refers to land situated at the junction of Victor Drive and Grand Drive in the Broadway.

The area is currently occupied by the car wash and Grove Fittings ironmongers.

But town councillors feel this latest plan, which will also have shops on the ground floor, would result in over-development and hazardous traffic in an already dangerous area.

Speaking after the meeting, councillor Jane Ward said: “It is the number of flats that is really causing concern. This will make that whole corner just one big row of flats and it’s too much.

This included concerns that deliveries to the ground floor shops could cause an issue with blocking the road as there would be no parking available.

Councillor Caroline Parker, who has lived in Leigh for 22 years added: “Yet another block of flats. Where does all this stop?

“And this is a particularly busy and dangerous stretch of road where parking is already a nightmare and traffic is already terrible.”

The building, which would be situated opposite the Grand Hotel, would be comprised of five one-bed flats, 16 two-bed flats and four three-bed flats with about 40 per cent of it allocated as affordable housing.

The Grand Hotel is set to be transformed into a bar and restaurant, and the designers say they have taken the historic hotel into consideration with their plans.

And while the architects responsible for the design have tried to ensure the building will complement the area, Leigh Town Council felt it would not be in keeping with the current street scene.

Councillor Ward added: “Personally, I didn’t mind the design too much. You can see that they have tried to complement the red brick of the Grand Hotel. But the fourth and fifth floor makes it too high and we felt this would cause a loss of privacy to the neighbouring residents.”

After receiving recommendations from all consultees, Southend Council are due to make a decision by January 2.