A DISTINCTIVE 80-year-old building will be bulldozed to make way for a block of flats.

Harwand House, the art deco-style building on the corner of London Road and North Road, Westcliff, as well as the Sixties-built Parlane Purkis accountancy office next door will go.

Made up of 47 one, two and three-bed flats, with balconies, the new development will also have 450sqm of shop space on the ground floor.

After praising the design, members of the council’s planning committee voted 14 to one in favour of the proposals, from developer Sams, which owns both buildings.

However Mike Assenheim (Ind, Shoeburyness) was concerned about the development only providing 32 parking spaces and felt it was out of place for the location.

He said: “The design is very good. It’s too good for that area.”

Dr Marimuthu Vel (Ind, Westborough) said: “That corner of our town is begging for improvement. It needs to be redeveloped. The council car park behind is always empty, so people can use it after 6pm.”

Planning officers had recommended the plans be approved and asked Sams to pay £78,000 towards local schools and £9,000 towards transport costs.

The developer has also promised to provide ten affordable homes as part of the scheme.

One letter of objection was sent to the council from a neighbour opposed to the demolition of 1930s-built Harwand House, saying it is a local landmark.

A SHOPKEEPER fears for the future of his business as a result of the impending demolition of Harwand House.

Harwand House includes two active shops on its ground floor, Southend Bathroom Centre and South East Essex Advocacy for Older People.

Mark Daniels, 45, owner of Southend Bathroom Centre, which has been there more than ten years, was upset the plans had been approved.

He said: “It’s dreadful. We will be out on our ear. We can’t afford to just move. It would cost about £70,000. I’ve got a mortgage and four kids.

“I don’t know what will happen.”

No-one at the developers wished to comment.