APPROVAL is bring sought from Thurrock Council by developers to add a new storey to a town centre shopping parade to create two flats.

The application for prior approval is being made for a section of the Grover Walk shopping complex in Corringham, on part of the precinct adjacent to Gordon Road.

The new floor would be built on top of the current two storey building which includes a retail unit on the ground floor, and offices above.

Two new flats are proposed. Each flat will have a living/dining/kitchen area, a bedroom and a shower room. The flats will be accessed from a communal hallway.

No changes are proposed to access or parking arrangements.

The applicants say it is unlikely that the addition of new flats at this location will result in a material increase in traffic in the local area and so they have not made any provision for additional parking. They add the site is highly accessible by public transport, reducing the need to travel by car. There are bus stops outside and Stanford-le-Hope train station is within easy reach.

However, the council's highways team have already raised concerns, saying: "Draft parking standards indicate that such a development should provide one to 1.25 spaces for the dwellings and 0.25 spaces per dwelling for visitors thus as a minimum three spaces should be provided for this development."

There is no suggestion in the application of any commitment to community facilities which might include a contribution to the NHS via a Section 106 agreement.

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The application for prior approval and the opportunity to comment can be found via this link.