LEIGH town councillors say they are backing plans to renovate the landmark Grand Hotel to the hilt.

Plans to restore the crumbling former pub in the Broadway have been recommended for refusal by Southend Council planners who say a penthouse with its domed roof, which will be built on top of a large rear extension, will be detrimental to the area.

This is despite permission being granted for a domed roof on new flats opposite the Grand and the fact the Grand once had a viewing tower and balustrade on its roof.

Former Only Way is Essex star Mick Norcross has refused to back down and remove the penthouse from the plans, which include 19 flats, a wine bar and health club, saying it would make the development financially unviable. Mr Norcross says his plan is the only option for the building which will deteriorate if his plans don’t go ahead.

Mr Norcross is hoping the Southend development control committee gives the go-ahead to his plans and he has the backing of Leigh Town Council, according to council member Caroline Parker.

She said: “We had a planning meeting and we all want to see the Grand up and running . None of us want to see it fall to wrack and ruin and get to the stage where it might fall down, catch fire or have to be demolished.

“Some members said it would have been nice to see a hotel there and to see some affordable housing but not if it means that building is left to crumble. Mick Norcross has our full backing to save this valuable building.

“We all feel the same in Leigh, not just councillors, but people I’ve spoken to in the street and they say ‘let him go ahead, that’s fine, just save this building’.

“Everybody, and I mean everybody, is keeping all their fingers crossed that Southend Council will give it permission.”

Planners also said no provision for affordable housing, although legitimate for the type of development, was another reason to refuse the application.

A report to councillors said: “It is accepted that the development as proposed could not viably make a contribution to affordable housing provision. Officers therefore accept that provision of affordable housing cannot be justified as part of the development, as proposed.

“However, this is not a positive element of the proposal and it does not weigh in favour of granting permission.”

Mr Norcross said: “We have done everything we could but we have never been able to work with Southend planners.

“Is the slight angle of the roof really that much of a problem? If so they must be very finicky.

“There is also a precedent for this sort of addition. Clements Arcade is a locally listed building which was given permission to build a penthouse on top of it although it has the same status.”