THURROCK councillors have postponed a decision on a plan to demolish shops in Grays to make way for seven new flats.

CS Property Estates Ltd wants to demolish kitchen and bathroom showroom, R G Cole at 1 – 3 Broadway and build a three storey development with one new commercial space.

The proposal, which was recommended for approval by officers, was called into Thurrock Council's planning committee by Rob Gledhill, Conservative councillor for Little Thurrock Rectory with the support of five other councillors.

Councillors are concerned about a lack of parking and increased congestion on the surrounding roads following introduction of parking permit scheme.

Speaking at a recent planning committee meeting Cllr Gledhill said: "As anyone who travels along these roads leading to the proposed site knows it can regularly and very quickly be congested, not only from the sheer weight of traffic, but due to the vehicles parked on the four adjacent roads.

"This happens many, many times a day and this is compounded by the school run. The vast majority of the congestion is the sheer weight of traffic on the road. The Broadway is a popular site for both takeaways and groceries so it can become gridlocked with just a few cars parked in line with the current traffic restrictions coupled with the normal traffic flow."

Cllr Gledhill added: "The extra vehicles this proposal will generate will only compound the issue, making it less safe for residents to walk unimpeded along this stretch of road."

The proposed scheme would deliver three, one-bed and four, two-bed flats of varying sizes.

Two of the one-bed units are suitable for two people with the other for one person. Tw of the two- bed units are large enough for four-person occupancy and the others three people.

A motion to refuse the application was defeated through chairman Cllr Michael Fletcher's casting vote. Instead a motion to defer but minded to refuse pending a review of a transport document and a site visit by councillors was approved.