A FORMER Meals on Wheels storage depot earmarked for new flats had planning permission refused because it would be "too smelly" for residents.

Developer Breezy Wind Limited hoped to turn the former council owned site in Corran Way, South Ockendon, into nine two-bedroom flats but planning officers refused the application as a nearby sewage pumping station would mean prospective residents would be unable to open windows in the summer because of the pong.

Surveys were carried out on the site over three days in December last year. They detected odours across the site, ranging from "negligible to moderately adverse" and described as "chemical Zoflora in the morning and sewage in the afternoon".

In all sewage odour was detected at six different locations, with eight occurrences in total until the final day of survey when the wind changed direction wafting the smell away from the site.

The development consisted of three individual blocks each linked by an entrance lobby containing a staircase to the upper levels. All three blocks are orientated so that any habitable room windows are facing east, west and south so that none overlook each other."

Planning officers acknowledged the substantial need for new homes in the borough but said the malodorous conditions would affect future residents.

In their report they said: "Officers therefore give significant weight to the benefits of providing housing to help meet the area's needs. This weight is increased to very significant as the development proposes making the most efficient use of previously developed land which is located within a sustainable location.

"Mitigation through the installation of a suitable ventilation system within the development is likely to control the environment in the internal areas but will require the windows to be closed. However, there is little that can be done to mitigate the external garden areas and in summer when residents may reasonably expect to open windows."

The concluded: "On balance, having had regard to the economic, social and environmental impacts of the proposal, that the harm identified, with particular reference to the impact of odour on the living conditions of future residents, would not be outweighed by other considerations."