Does lorry shelter need planning permission?

Highway Haulage erected the shelter, which is 20ft tall and 40ft wide, two months ago.

It stands on a industrial yard off Northwick Road, Canvey, which the firm is renting from Castle Point councillor responsible for regeneration Norman Smith.

Several residents and councillors have complained it was put up without planning permission.

The council’s planning office is now investigating the case.

Mr Smith said: “I went to see my tenant as soon as I noticed the shelter has been put up. I told him in no uncertain terms he needs to check if it requires planning permission. I’ve also spoken to the council’s planning office and asked them to have a look at the site. Obviously, in my position I need to make sure everything is done by the book.”

He added the temporary structure was not being used to store diesel, as was feared by residents.

Highway Haulage owns a fleet of fuel transportation lorries, which are stored on the site.

A Canvey resident, who asked to remain anonymous, was still critical of Mr Smith.

He said: “It looks like it’s one rule for him and another for everyone else. That’s a great big warehouse and they should be made to take it down straight away.

“There’s also all these lorries using the site and it’s dangerous when they pull onto the main road.”

Mr Smith insisted large vehicles driving on to the site is nothing new.

He has let it to several different firms that use lorries over the years.

RSM driving school, owned by opposition Canvey Independent Party councillor Nick Harvey, rented the site for about six months until April this year.

Alun Priddle, RSM manager, said: “It was mostly used to store our cars, but we also had an articulated lorry there, which we used in lessons for lorry drivers.”

Castle Point Council confirmed it is investigating whether or not the shelter needs planning permission.

The Echo tried to contact Highway Haulage for a comment, but its staff did not return our calls.