AN application to demolish a car wash and construct a new office building on Thurrock green belt has been refused by planning officers.

The application by Supply 2 Location was to redevelop land adjacent to Olive Lodge, on Southend Road close to tge Five Bells roundabout in order to expand its operation.

The company works within the media production industry and specialises in the supply of infrastructure to support production, including water and power, temporary buildings, showers, cleaning stations and tables and chairs.

It proposed to cease the car wash operation and demolish the existing structures at the front of the site, including an existing building, car wash huts, storage containers, and hardstanding. The plan included a new office, and storage units and ancillary workshops.

The proposed rectangular building would measure approximately 19metres by 8.6metres and would be 6metres tall with a very shallow pitched roof, overhanging eaves, and a projecting porch canopy.

In its application, the company said: "The covid pandemic has seen Supply 2 Location take a fight or flight decision, as the media industry resolved to return to work mid pandemic under covid compliant measures Supply 2 Location took the opportunity to keep pace with their customers.

"Covid compliant measures has increased Supply 2 Location turnover, where one marquee would have served clients now seek two or three to meet their requirements – a situation that is not anticipated to reverse."

Neighbours who were consulted on the plans welcomed the end of the "noisy" car wash operation but there were fears the new office would overlook properties.

Refusing the application, planning officers said: "Taking the above into account it is considered that the proposals are unacceptable in principle and amount to poor design that would be harmful to the character, appearance, and openness of the Green Belt.

"The proposal is considered to represent inappropriate and unjustified development in a manner harmful to the openness, character, appearance, and wider amenity value of the metropolitan Green Belt. This significant harm is not outweighed by any very special circumstances in this instance."