FURIOUS residents have hit out plans for more homes on the site of a closed pub.

Yesterday, the Echo revealed how land where the Admiral Jellicoe currently stands could look if an application for 40 flats is approved.

The Jellicoe, in High Street, Canvey, would be demolished to make way for the new homes.

Residents took to social media to express their disappointment at plans for more houses on the island.

Sammie Jo Pier said: “We don’t need more housing on this island. Has anyone attempted to get off Canvey on a Sunday?

“There’s hardly any child placements in schools. We need a third road off of Canvey not more flats.”

Geoffrey Warwick Graydon added: “What’s right for the area would be an up and running Admiral Jellicoe, not a row of flats making some developer rich.

“The island is already sinking under the weight of uncontrolled development and the witless people who keep saying how beautiful Canvey is obviously are newcomers who never knew it when it was beautiful.”

Councillors say they are concerned about the appearance of the flats.

Peter Grieg, Canvey Independent councillor, said: “I have seen the plans, and I don’t like them at all.

“I think it would be out of character in this area. There is a real mix of places down that road but they are different to what is proposed.

“I think this development will look out of place if it goes ahead. I also think it will cause traffic problems in the area as it will mean there will be more cars on the road.”

Former councillor and island volunteer Colin Letchford said it is a difficult issue.

He said: “I think the development does look very imposing and very high.

“I would have preferred to see a row of bungalows built there but if people wanted to keep the old pub they should have fought for it.”

The future of the pub site has been a long saga.

It closed mysteriously in March 2017 and was sold soon afterwards to Branch Company Ltd for £1.1million.

The application to demolish the pub and replace it with houses was submitted in May but Castle Point Council has kept tight-lipped about the reasons behind a delay on the decision.

No date has been set for a decision.

The Echo attempted to contact Branch Company Ltd.