DESPITE the objections of neighbours and local residents, Thurrock Council planners have given approval to a new 'contemporary' home on a leafy borough estate.

An application to demolish an existing bungalow at 70 Chestnut Avenue in Grays and replace it with a new two storey building has been backed by planners, who say there are ready a number of similar buildings in the area.

Residents objected because of the scale of the new building, saying it would affect the character of the area, restrict views and be an invasion of privacy.

The current building on the site.

The arguments were summed up in one objection, from 91-year-old housebound widow Gwendoline Kinsmore, who said: "I am a 91-year-old housebound widow who spends most of my time in the lounge, which is at the front of my house looking out across to the row of bungalows, one of which is number 70.

"I was shocked and saddened to hear the new owners of the bungalow diagonally across the road from me has submitted an application to turn it into a large house.

"The view of the skyline is very important to me and I object to possibly spending the rest of my life looking out onto a building site and having the daylight into my home compromised.

"I believe it would be out of character to erect a house among so many bungalows"