THURROCK councillors have rejected an application for the construction of a two-storey commercial building in Grays.

The planning committee, which met on Tuesday, refused permission for the 70.4sq metre building on land between Gunning Road and Towers Road on the the Globe Industrial Estate – land that is intended as a buffer zone between the estate and residential homes. Residents and councillors have expressed concern over increasing parking issues.

Ward councillor Tom Kelly, who represents Little Thurrock Rectory, accepted parking issues weren't sufficient to warrant a rejection but he said: "The subjective view of whether you should be encroaching on a buffer zone is still present. The developer is clearly trying to squeeze a development on this small patch of land.

"It does set a dangerous precedent on the buffer zone. It doesn't necessarily have to be a building in the future. There are a lot of warehouses that back on to the site. They could easily put in an application for additional storage which would be an encroachment."

The building was intended for retail, professional, financial or medical services and would be accessed from Towers Road. The application had been refused previously and was also rejected on appeal.

The scrubland buffer between industrial units and homes.

Amendments to the scheme were said to have overcome the previous concerns raised around access to the site and it was recommended by officers for approval.

However, Roy Jones, Independent councillor for Stanford East and Corringham Town, said: "That's a very busy industrial estate. You can see cars parked here there and everywhere at times.

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"Most times there's always issues with parking. That buffer zone was there for a reason so I can't see why we can't keep it."

However, Steve Liddiard, Labour councillor for Tilbury St Chads, had an opposing view and supported the scheme, saying: "It is a bit of a quart into a pint pot but it has got a garage.

"I know there are parking problems. I know there's big lorries coming round but I can't find any material reason to turn it down so I shall be voting for acceptance."