RENEWED plans have been submitted to tear down “dilapidated” buildings and build over 50 homes on a former green belt site on the A13.

Westcliff-based Argent Developers want to build 42 flats, eight houses and a bungalow on land off Bread and Cheese Hill, in London Road, Benfleet.

The two-and-a-half acre site is currently home to a redundant office building, a disused petrol station operating as a car wash, and a car tyre repair workshop.

The proposals would involve tearing down the buildings to redesign the area and build the new estate.

In a report, S K Architects, who submitted the proposals on behalf of Agent, said: “Due to the need to deliver housing growth and the decline in the commercial market much of the urban strip running alongside the A13 has seen renewal and redevelopment of previously developed land to provide housing.

“The proposed development seeks to demolish the existing single residential dwelling, associated ancillary structures and dilapidated and unsightly commercial units running up Bread and Cheese Hill.”

The application is a revised version of former plans submitted by the developer to build 54 homes on the land.

Castle Point Council rejected the proposals because the land had formerly been designated as part of the borough’s Green Belt.

S K Architects added: “Since the previous application being refused the number of buildings has been reduced. We believe the proposal dramatically improves upon the previous proposals and the existing unattractive site along the key artery running through Benfleet.”

A final decision on the plans will be decided by the council’s development control committees in the next few weeks.