AN APPEAL has been launched to install a penthouse apartment at the top of a multi-million pound development.

In November last year, plans for the redevelopment of the iconic Grand Hotel off Leigh’s Broadway, including a wine bar, health club and a restaurant, plus 18 luxury flats and 19 parking space was approved by Southend Council.

The owner of the Grand, former The Only Way is Essex star Mick Norcross has now appealed to the council to add a penthouse apartment on the fourth floor of the building back into the plans.

The original proposal including the penthouse was thrown out by Southend Council development committee in July 2017.

A letter regarding the appeal, said: “An inspector has now been appointed by the Secretary of State to determine this appeal and the hearing will be held in the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend on October 9.”

When the application was refused by Southend Council, its planning officers said the penthouse was a major factor in the decision.

The report said: “The development, by reason of the design, mass, scale, siting and size of the proposed fourth floor penthouse roof extension and the increased scale and details design of the enlarged mansard roof, would have a detrimental impact on and be significantly harmful to the character and appearance of the locally listed building.”

When the application was finally approved in November, Charlotte Galforg, area planning officer told then committee chairman, Floyd Waterworth the officers were happy with the changes made.

She said: “Due to the changes that have been made, the council do not have any objections.”

Included in the application, Mr Norcross also agreed to make a contribution of £9,607 to Belfairs High School as part of a section 106 agreement.

The Echo contacted Mr Norcross for comment regarding the appeal. However he refused to comment.