COUNCILLORS have criticised plans to build homes on the site of a former pub car park.

The 50-space site was sold separately from the Silver Jubilee, in Hilton Road, Canvey, while the pub has been redeveloped into a mini-supermarket.

Plans have now emerged to build four family homes on the car park site.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, believes the car park would have been an asset for Morrisons, which has snapped up the pub.

Developers are going to create a 17-bay car park at the front of the M Local store.

Mr Blackwell said: “I’m really shocked, it’s very surprising.

“If that car park was needed when the pub was there, then I’m sure it would be needed for a convenience store.

“You would expect that to be much busier than the Silver Jubilee, and I just don’t think 17 spaces will be enough.

“They didn’t need planning permission for the M Local because it’s just a change of use, so I think we really need to look at the parking issue when the houses application comes to the planning committee.”

Castle Point Council is set to decide on the plans for two, four-bedroom, detached houses and two, three-bedroom chalets next month.

Veteran Tory councillor Ray Howard, who is also deputy cabinet member for highways at Essex County Council, believes a new left-turn filter lane needs to be created to ease traffic congestion caused by the new store, which is set to open in the next fewweeks.

He said: “I opened the Silver Jubilee pub back in 1977 and I have been very outspoken about the supermarket plans.

“Unfortunately, because it is an express store, and people will be popping in and out, planning guidelines state 17 parking spaces is enough.

“If the two proposals both came through at the same time, we could assess them properly, but we’re being asked to look at the houses application after the supermarket horse has bolted.”