RESIDENTS have raised concerns over an application made to Thurrock Council for permission to build six new homes on a corner plot of a junction on a busy road in Aveley.

The proposal is for six semi-detached houses, of which two will have three bedrooms and four will have four, adjacent to the junction of Purfleet Road and Love Lane.

Just one two bedroomed bungalow currently sits on the plot at 43, Purfleet Road. The building is empty and has been boarded up.

Historic pictures of the site show it to have contained trees and hedges but the area within the plot boundaries has been cleared of trees. In the application to the council, the site agent tells planners that the site application states the site has been cleared of them.

Removal of the trees and hedges on the site has been referred to in one of the comments by residents who have expressed concern about the application.

She says: "We as residents have already lost all the lovely established trees that were originally on the bungalow location , trees are something we strongly need to keep for our health and environment and well being!"

The applicant, Rakesh Kainth, in documentation sent to the council, confirms there are no trees or hedges on the site now, but makes no reference to what was there previously. Had the trees remained in place, it is probable Mr Kainth would have had to complete a full tree survey and restrictions might have been placed on what could be done.

In the application an illustration of what the new homes will look like is included but shows the removal of large trees currently outside the curtilage of the property alongside Purfleet Road. The welfare of those trees is also a concern of residents.

A neighbour, Miss Lisa Waskett who lives on Purfleet Road, says: "I have a real major concern also for the two very mature trees that are located on the grass verge in Purfleet road which are over 50 years old!

"If any work is to be carried out this will for sure cause detrimental effect on the trees and their roots."

The new homes would share an access from Purfleet Road and there will be 14 parking spaces shared between the properties. Each of the new homes will have a rear garden.

Residents have already raised objections to the scheme, suggesting that six homes is too many and that four would possibly be acceptable.

You can view the full application and make comments on it via this link.