COUNCILLORS have thrown out the latest plans to build flats on the site of a former church hall, against the advice of officers.

Southend Council's development control committee decided a seven-storey building planned for the site of the former St Clement's Church hall, in Rectory Grove, Leigh, would have been over development.

The 20-flat scheme was the second one put forward by New Town Builders, and included a community hall on the ground-floor.

But speakers at the meeting opposed the scheme, including Pat Holden, of Leigh Town Council, who said the building would overlook parts of the St Clement's Court block and the two-storey houses opposite, in Rectory Grove.

Alan Crystall (Lib Dem, Leigh) said: "This is better designed than the previous scheme, but is not acceptable in this part of the conservation area.

"Because we have two high buildings in the area, we should not necessarily agree with having a third. To me it is out of scale."

John Lamb (Con, West Leigh) said he was totally opposed to the scheme, which was unsuitable for the area as a whole.

Gwen Horrigan (Con, West Leigh) added: "People in Leigh are not unreasonable, but from the strength of the opposition you can see this scheme is totally unacceptable."

Members decided to reject the plan, against the advice of officers, by 11 votes to one.

Richard Brown, (Con, Chalk-well) voted in favour of the proposal.

Nick Jones, speaking on behalf of St Clement's Court residents, said he was thrilled by the result.

He said after the meeting: "All the residents are delighted. It shows our hard work has paid off.

"But we understand this is only another phase of the development and perhaps the developer will come back with something more in keeping with the area.

"Our building is art deco in design and is very popular at the moment. It might be more acceptable if they chose something along those lines.

"We just don't want it to be too high or to take our light away. We are prepared to accept a building there, but only one that fits in."

TWO alternative proposals for flats on a derelict site were approved by Southend Council's development control committee.

The proposals mean there will be either 15 or 16 flats built on the site of a former factory in Pavilion Drive, Leigh.

In May last year, the developer was granted permission to build 12 flats on the site after a planning appeal, but have now put in proposals for more flats on the site.

As both were approved, it will be decided later which set of plans will actually go ahead.

However, councillors were divided on whether the latest schemes should be approved.

Ward councillor Jim Clinkscales (Lib Dem, Blenheim Park) said: "A lot of people in the area are unhappy about this proposal, which is putting more development in the area.

"I maintain this is just too much and I am amazed the developer has come back with a further proposal."

The committee agreed the two alternative proposals by eight votes to four, and eight votes to six.