Billericay plans for 15 flats next door to 20 new flats

Developers have lodged plans with Basildon Council to build new flats as “phase two” of plans that have already seen 20 flats built next door in Radford Way.

The site was previously home to Pea Pod Cafe and My Gym, which according to Google are both now closed.

According to the plans, submitted by “SSK UK”, the ground floor and part of the first floor could be used as retail units.

The original plans for the development at 30 Radford Way (Image: SSK UK)

Phil Turner, Conservative councillor responsible for Billericay West ward, admitted he would prefer to see the site stay as commercial spaces, however admitted it is a “sign of the times”.

He said: “This will be another development our residents will be watching with interest.

“Ideally it should have been completed as one phase.

“I think in this ever-changing world residential applications in commercial premises are a sign of our times.

“I hope in years to come we aren’t regretting the loss of these.

“I wouldn’t personally want residential and commercial mixed but again these days it seems to be acceptable.”

How the development could look now (Image: SSK UK)

If approved by Basildon Council, the new flats would take the development to a total of 35 flats.

The plans stated: “The proposal provides a high-quality design approach in replacement of a tired 1960’s former factory with a contemporary simply styled building that interacts positively and takes the opportunity to enhance the streetscape.

“To acknowledge the loss of the commercial and community space this part of the site was proposed to provide a café and a Yoga Studio, thereby resulting in no net loss to the sites commercial use.

“The proposal has a strong relationship with the consented scheme on the wider site and whilst brought forward separately and could function in that way there is logic to maximise the sites development to consider the site in its entirety.

“The proposal consists of the right development, in the right place and at the right time in a way that is plan led.”