A RUSTING gas container is set to be demolished - much to the relief of residents.

Those living near the now defunct container in Elm Road, Shoebury, have welcomed plans by National Grid to pull down a container which once towered over homes when it was filled with gas at certain times of the year.

Various outbuildings are also set to go on the site, which could now be earmarked for homes.

Shoebury councillor Mike Assenheim, who died suddenly last year, had long campaigned to get the container removed from his road. He welcomed its eventual decommissioning.

Shoebury councillor Roger Hadley said: “This is well overdue. People have been asking for this for years.

“They stopped using it and the container was down but it is still visible when it’s down.

“It is a brownfield site and it will be interesting to see what they come forward with. It’s difficult for housing because of the railway line, but it does have access.

“There would have to be a change of use, but I would welcome housing there as long as it wasn’t overdeveloped.”

Wendy Punt, 50, of Elm Road, also welcomed the application. She said: “We had a letter about it. I don’t think they have used it for ten years so it’s about time they took it down.

“When they used to use it it would creek and squeak as it went up and down and it got very rusty. They repainted it a while ago but it’s started to go rusty again.

“I think they will probably build houses there and that’s alright. I don’t think there would be many because of the railway line and the land would have to be decontaminated first.”

The site is bounded by the railway, homes and an industrial site. An ecological survey concluded as much existing scrubland as possible should be preserved to protect any reptiles or bats at the site.