A CONTROVERSIAL flats development on Canvey has been panned by a Government inspector.

The proposals by Champagne Developments for May Avenue involved knocking down bungalows and building a two-storey block of eight flats.

They were originally thrown out by Castle Point Council because they were out of character with the area and in a flood plain.

A Government report agreed, highlighting the whole of Canvey being a high-risk flood zone.

Isobel McCretton, planning inspector, said: "The main issues in the case are the risk to the future occupiers of the proposed development from flooding in the area and the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area."

The report also said the borough council has recognised a need for new housing, but those homes should be created in low-flood risk zones.

Mrs McCretton added: "The appellants have produced information that there are no currently available sites for development on Canvey and maintain the supply of new sites has all but dried up.

"But I am not convinced there is sufficient information, at this stage, to show there are no more suitable sites for development within the lowest risk area."

Developer Chris Payne, who is behind the plans, said: "The broad implication of this is that any of the older style bungalows on Canvey whose value has historically been based on their land value will now, I feel sure, see that value greatly diminished.

"After all, who would pay full value for a timber roughcast bungalow on land which has little or no chance of being developed. This is bad news for inheritances."