A DEVELOPER has won the battle to build a seven-storey block of 20 flats on the site of the former St Clement’s Church hall in Leigh.

New Town Builders has been given the go-ahead to build on the Rectory Grove site, which was sold by the church for development.

The plan includes a community hall on the ground floor and two levels of underground parking.

Planning inspector Nicholas Hammans, who made his decision following a planning inquiry, said: “The proposed design is modern and innovative.

“It would be very prominent in the street scene, viewed either from the east or west, and the outline of its facade would make an emphatic architectural statement.

“I think it would deflect attention from the unattractive pile of St Clement’s Court East. With planting and art forms on the street frontage, The composition as a whole would enhance the neighbourhood.”

The news was greeted with alarm by some residents and councillors.

Nick Jones, a resident of St Clement’s Court, said: “We will suffer a loss of light and it will be even worse for those on the lower floors of the building.

“A lot of residents are going to be badly affected by this scheme. We never thought it would be approved after the inspector saw what the impact was going to be.”

The inquiry heard from a lighting expert 19 rooms in the Thirties-built block would suffer a significant but not harmful loss of sunlight if the building went ahead.

John Lamb, Southend councillor responsible for regeneration, who represents West Leigh, said: “I think this is a terrible decision, made by an inspector who does not understand what is really needed in Leigh.