CONTROVERSIAL plans for six flats on a busy main road have prompted fears cars will reverse out of the site into oncoming traffic.

The proposals to convert 1,825 London Road in Leigh into three flats and build three further flats on neighbouring land have worried residents that more cars will pull out into the congested road.

The town council's planning committee voted to oppose the plans. The objection will now be lodged with Southend Council, which decides on planning applications.

At the meeting, one neighbour, who asked not to be named, said it was a very small driveway to get cars out.

He said: "If they do use the parking that is going to be available at the front, I think there are some safety concerns. Three people have been killed outside my place, one pedestrian, one on a bike and one in a car. It's very very bad for traffic as anyone along there knows."

Eddie Cornish, chairman of West Leigh Residents' Association, said: "You're going from a three-bedroom family home to six one-bedroom flats which I believe we all agree is a complete overdevelopment of the site."