THE planning inspectorate has backed a decision by Thurrock Council not to allow the building of nine flats on a site off Southend Road in Corringham.

A bid to demolish what is left of the Village motel on a site adjacent to Gable Hall School and build three two storey blocks of flats was submitted to the council in February last year.

However, in a delegated decision by officers, the proposal was rejected.

Applicant Robert Hollington then made his appeal to the Planning Inspectorate but, as Thurrock Council's planning committee will be told next week at their monthly meeting, the veto stands.

The inspector's report says the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt. While the development would reduce the footprint of buildings, the development would significantly increase the volume and height of the built form on the site.

The report says: "Consequently, the proposed development would, by virtue of its permanence and size, have a greater impact on openness than the existing development. The proposal therefore constituted inappropriate development in the Green Belt."