PLANS to demolish a home in Chadwell St Mary and replace it with three apartments were unanimously rejected by Thurrock Council's planning committee this evening (Thursday, 2 December).

The applicant had been recommended for refusal by officers and after emotional appeals from ward councillor Adam Carter and resident Michelle Hull the plan for 2 Morant Road was thrown out.

Cllr Carter told members: "This will be incredibly intrusive for the neighbours and it it severely impacts on the neighbours."

Ms Hull, one of those neighbours, said: "The actual act of demolishing the existing house will bring huge disruption to those of us who live in the road and lorries there will be a big risk.

"Aside from that Morant Road has maintained its original number of dwellings since it was laid out by the council. The net gain of this development is two dwellings, in a road never designed to fit in two more houses.

"I certainly feel this is an over development that is totally out of character with the existing housing stock in the road and would have a negative impact."