Industrial units may make way for homes (From Echo)

Industrial units may make way for homes

9:30am Saturday 18th August 2012 in Castle Point By Chloe Chapman

Industrial units may make way for homes

INDUSTRIAL units which were destroyed in a huge blaze on Canvey two years ago could yet rise from the ashes.

A planning application has been submitted to Castle Point Council to construct three two-storey buildings behind the newly opened Corner Club.

The industrial buildings, three shops, a timber yard and the original 100-year-old drinking venue, off Canvey High Street, were brought to the ground by the fire in November 2010.

Now Canvey construction firm ABD Design and Build is hoping to lead a project for the new buildings on the 320sqm square plot. The ground floor of the steel and cement buildings will be used as commercial workshops, while the first floor will be flats.

In a planning statement, Cliff Burry of ABD Design, said: “We appreciate the units were single storey, but have decided to propose a two- storey development.

“We see a need for mixed employment and residential use. The previous use was for employment and the site is immediately adjoined by residential areas.

“It is therefore considered residential use is appropriate.”

Corner Club owners Lee Petch, 46, and Frank Bennett, 58, re-opened the social club in April following a £200,000 investment.

Mr Petch said: “It has all been going brilliantly since we re-opened. We’ve got more members than ever, more entertainment than ever and all our customers are happier than ever.

“We are back to being the heart of Canvey and the amount of support we have had from everyone is fantastic.

“I certainly don’t have any problems with the industrial units being re-built at the back of the club. I think it’s great that everyone affected by the fire is starting to get back on their feet and put it behind them.”