PLANS for a controversial block of flats has been refused...to the delight of campaigners.

Council officers had already recommended that Basildon Council’s planning committee refused an application submitted by agent Ben Willis, of Wingfield Planning, to turn the building at 2 to 12 The Broadway, Wickford, into 21 flats and retail units.

At Basildon Council’s Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday night, councillors agreed with the recommendation.

Peter Holliman, Tory councillor for Wickford North, said: “I don’t think there was one voice that came out saying they really wanted the development.

“Getting it refused wasn’t as easy as people think.

“There has been a change in the regulations and now parking cannot be a reason in itself to refuse a planning application.

“It was also refused due to the design being too big for the area.

“I am very pleased.

“Something does need to happen to that corner as it doesn’t look nice, but it needs to be the right development.”

However, the news is bitter sweet - as developers were previously given planning permission to build a smaller version, with only 10 flats, instead of he five-storey building that was refused on Tuesday night.