A PLANNING application to build a restaurant and a block of flats in the heart of Leigh has been rejected by town councillors amid growing opposition from local residents and business owners.

Proposals to demolish a car showroom, in Rectory Grove, and replace it with nine flats and either offices, shops or a restaurant on the ground floor, were opposed at a meeting of Leigh Town Council.

The meeting heard residents had raised concerns and a letter of objection from Jason and Gill McGarry, owners of Terracotta tea rooms, in Broadway West, was read out.

Their letter warned Leigh is becoming saturated with shops and cited fears their trade would suffer if the scheme were to go ahead.

Previous plans to build ten flats on the site were rejected by Southend Council and were then thrown out by planning inspectors on appeal.

However, permission for a three-storey block of four flats was later granted.

Town councillor Jean Rowswell (Highlands) told the meeting: "I'm glad I haven't got to look at that and live in it."

However, Mike Dolby (Bonchurch) said at least the development would not create any further parking stress.

"At the moment there are a tremendous number of parked cars there in the road that belong to the showroom because they haven't got room for them, so I can't see that we can reject on those grounds," he said.

Speaking after the meeting, restaurant owner Mr McGarry echoed the concerns of many Leigh residents and business owners. "There's a danger that Leigh will end up becoming a night venue rather than a day venue," he said.

"It has been quoted as the second best town in the country by the tabloids and we don't want it turning into a night venue and see it becoming like Southend."

The plans will now go to Southend Council's planning committee for a final decision.