A FORMER hostel will be torn down and replaced with flats after plans were approved by Basildon Council.

At a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, members voted to tear down the former Rylands Hostel, based at the junction of Nevendon Road and London Road, Wickford, and build two four-storey flat blocks featuring 30 apartments.

The application is made by Family Mosaic Housing who also owns the former Arne Court in Pound Lane, Laindon, which was used to shelter rough sleepers in the town.

The plans include nine one-bedroom flats, 21 two-bedroom flats, a commercial space, and a ground floor parking area for cars and bicycles.

Wickford councillors had objected to the proposed building design, saying a flat roof design does not suit the character of the town.

Wickford Independent councillor David Harrison, representing Wickford Park, said: “It’s a flat roof monstrosity. I am not against building new flats but surely someone can come up with a better design.

“I am absolutely surprised that councillors didn’t object to the design. The hostel is in a part of the town where there’s a lot of buildings that exhibit the old character of Wickford.

“Having a flat-roofed building on this major road is terrible.”

Previously, the Echo reported how a flood risk could become an issue. Essex County Council’s flood and water management team did not object to the proposal.

Conservative councillor Don Morris, representing Wickford Castledon, shared the same views as Mr Harrison.

He said: “I don’t object to the development in principle, and the new development will also bring commercial income to the council. But the look of the building has to be right.

“The Rylands is a fairly old building, and it has undergone many changes over the decades. It had been a residential home, a doctor’s surgery and an office.

“Problem is, once you change these old buildings you can never put them back the way they were before. The flat roof design is not suitable for Wickford’s look and character, but then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

“I think the new building should adapt to the surrounding area. I have been pushing for more preservation orders for our buildings. We have one building in the High Street that dates back to 1934.”