THREE storeys will be added to a Basildon town centre tower block, adding 151 new homes.

Concerns have been raised over the additional stories being added to Trafford House, which could see it dominate the skyline in the town centre.

The current eight-storey block will become 11-storeys high, the second highest building in Basildon, behind the towering Brooke House.

Basildon Council is recommended to approve the plans next week, despite the Tories promising residents the town centre wouldn’t see anymore high rise buildings.

The council recently approved plans for 11-storey tower blocks at the Great Oaks retail park, for 245 flats.

READ MORE:

Davida Ademuyiwa, Tory councillor of the St Martin’s ward, criticised the plans.

She said: “Residents want buildings to be a maximum of around six storeys.

“But height isn’t my only concern, it’s the density of those living there.

“I’m not sure why this has been proposed, but not having a local plan makes it difficult.”

As part of the extra 151 flats, 25 of these will be classed as affordable.

Car parking spaces would reduce from 183 to 145, but cycle parking would increase to 490.

Councillor Ademuyiwa added: “Twenty-five affordable flats is no way near enough, it seems like these new homes won’t be for the people of Basildon.

“We have a council waiting list that needs fixing.

“I don’t agree with the reduction in car parking.

“I understand it’s a strategy to encourage public transport and cycling, but you can’t change people’s behaviours overnight.

The new flats would also feature communal gardens.

A report, produced by Christine Lyons, head of planning at Basildon Council, reads: “At 11 storeys in height the development would be more imposing than existing but would not appear particularly more dominant than surrounding buildings.

“There would be no adverse impact upon the setting or significance of Brooke House. The applicant confirms 53 [car parking] spaces are unused.”

The plans, submitted by Criterion Capital, will be considered on Wednesday.

The developers must agree to pay more almost £400,000 for 17 school places.