A LANDMARK building will retain its lakeside spot after councillors refused plans to demolish it to make way for flats.

Scores of residents in Downhall Road and Lakeside, Rayleigh, were furious after proposals were unveiled to knock down the feature property, which has a large lake in the garden, and build eight homes in its place.

The large home, known as Willow Lodge, was built in 1932 for the Raven family, who owned a clothes shop in Southend.

But developer Peter Wislocki wants to build a modern block of seven flats and a separate detached home on the site.

Mr Wislocki, of Southend-based Hedgehog Developments, told a Rochford District Council planning committee devising the plans had been a "labour of love".

He said: "We are aware of concerns raised by the neighbours and we have set to meet with a number of them privately. We always anticipated there would be a degree of concern about a new development in this area.

"We would have to say the development, with its total of 12 parking spaces servicing the seven flats, will not be that congested.

"The scale of the development has been questioned, but it is very much a two-storey block and very much of a scale of adjoining buildings."

He added: "This scheme is inspired by this place, it is of this place and I would like to think it's a very fitting landmark."

Chris Lumley (Lib Dem, Grange) proposed the rejection of the development, claiming it was "out of character" with the surrounding buildings and would create traffic problems.

He said: "By allowing these sort of developments, we are setting up trouble for ourselves in the future."

Chris Black (Lib Dem, Downhall and Rawreth) said he thought the design of the development was good but was in "completely the wrong place".

Councillors opted to reject the plans.