TWO bungalows in Rayleigh will be demolished and replaced by a three-storey block of 14 flats if planning permission is granted.

The proposal for the site at 8 and 10 Weir Gardens is being recommended for approval at Rochford District Council's development control committee meeting on August 23.

There were 31 letters of objection from nearby properties on the grounds of overdevelopment and likely traffic impact, councillors will be told.

However, the council's head of planning Shaun Scrutton said the revised scheme meant the flats would appear to be two storeys facing Weir Gardens, which would fit in with neighbouring properties.

The second-floor flats would have roof terraces fronting onto Brook Road.

Mr Scrutton said there was no objection to the principle of the site being developed for flats.

Although this was a different type of development to neighbouring houses, it was unlikely to badly affect the character of the area, he added.

The amount of off-street parking had been increased to 21 spaces and a cycle store was also being provided. Two previous applications to demolish the bungalows on the site and build flats instead have been refused by the committee in the past.

Mr Scrutton said there had been objections to the scheme from both Rayleigh Town Council and the Rayleigh Civic Society.