DEVELOPERS wanting to build an apartment block with 47 units and shops in the heart of Stanford-le-Hope have lost their appeal against Thurrock Council's decision to reject the scheme.

They were also refused a bid to get the council to pay for their appeal - which included a public hearing last December.

The application was rejected by a majority of councillors on the planning committee in February 2019, though Labour members Steve Liddiard and Gerard Rice wanted it to go through.

Cllr Liddiard even went as far as to warn his colleagues they were playing with fire and the council could end up with a hefty legal bill – and he angered local residents by saying the scheme would brighten up a 'dark and dingy corner' of Stanford.

After the meeting, Cllr Liddiard said he feared the refusal might not withstand scrutiny if the developer made an appeal. He said: "I voted for the scheme because it offered more than 40 flats and plenty of parking spaces. I have been to this area several times and I think it is a dark and dingy corner of Thurrock that is in need of regenerating.

"I know there is a major parking issue and it can be hard to find a place to park in the evening but when I have looked around, I don't think people use that car park much at night. In my view this should have been allowed and it will possibly go to appeal and be turned over."

It did go to appeal but Cllr Liddiard was proved wrong.

Councillors had rejected the scheme on the following grounds:

• The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of future occupiers, with particular regard to receivable light;
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area;
• the effect of the proposal on the vitality of Stanford-le-Hope town centre;
• concerns that the proposal would not preserve the setting of the Church of St Margaret of Antioch Grade I listed building.

The planning inspector found most of the reasons were sound and concluded that the site represents open space and found that it had not been demonstrated that the open space was surplus to requirements or that the proposal would not cause or worsen a deficiency of open space.

At the time of the original rejection Conservative ward councillor Shane Hebb celebrated the outcome, calling the application a "monstrosity" that would take away much-needed parking for residents.

And today (Friday, 26 March) his pleasure was replicated by Cllr Tom Kelly, chair of the planning committee who had expressed his disappointment with Cllr Liddiard's comments after last year's meeting. Cllr Kelly said he was 'happy with the result of course'.

The full report of the planning appeal can be read here.