A NEW plan has been submitted for the controversial and much-debated Sandpits car park site in Stanford-le-Hope.

The latest in a succession of development projects for the site, sold off by council in a cut price, deal would see a mixed use development comprising retail, leisure and commercial units at ground floor level and residential units on upper floors together with an undercroft and surface car park (comprising 56 car parking spaces),

An initial application proposed 47 homes, but it was later dropped to 35, with 55 car parking spaces.

The site of the King Street public car park in the town centre was granted planning permission for residential and retail development in 2012 and then sold by Thurrock Council a year later for a fee much less than its real value, but agreed on the understanding that significant public parking would be provided.

Despite winning approval, the original development was never built and pledges to provide free parking for residents have since been reneged upon.

The site has become one of the most talked about and controversial plots in Thurrock with several new plans being submitted, withdrawn or rejected. The latest application was vetoed by councillors in February last year.

In their latest submission the site owners Capital Land Partners have incorporated two retail units and more flats.

But the lack of public parking - and just 55 spaces for the new block's residents - is likely to prove a major issue.

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The applicants say the building will be designed as a landmark building, which will result in significant enhancement to the appearance of the town centre.

They add: "Indeed, it is considered that a building (and development) of this kind is significant in terms of the regeneration of Stanford-le-Hope town centre and will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the town centre as a whole."