NINE became one after permission was granted for a new bungalow on rural land in Corringham.

In 2020 an application for nine dwellings on land at The Stables on Rookery Hill was rejected, though a bid for three homes on adjacent land has since been approved.

Now the three buildings there will be joined by a bungalow on the land at the stables, which is designated 'gray' land. The site lies within the Green Belt and the Corringham Conservation Area, but has been acknowledged by the Council as previously developed land.

Applicants say the land is predominantly hardstanding and accommodates several disused garages/stables, remnants of former informal use. The site enjoys its own existing, dedicated driveway with direct access to Rookery Hill, ensuring a clear and independent point of entry that avoids any reliance on neighbouring land or shared access.

And they add: "The proposal is for a modest, sensitively designed single-storey bungalow, comprising two double bedrooms, one main bathroom and one en-suite with an open-plan living/dining/kitchen area."

The scheme will involve the demolition of an existing garage and two stable/tack room buildings.

The council approved the application saying: "This application offers a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely sustainable, attractive, and well-integrated new home on previously developed land.

"It will enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, improving openness and removing unattractive, redundant structures. It provides a much-needed housing type for local downsizers."