PLANNING officers have given the green light to knocking down the former Corringham Police station and building a four-storey block of 34 flats.

The decision comes after permission was granted, despite considerable local opposition for four apartment blocks comprising 95 flats on the nearby Springhouse Club site, also in the heart of the town.

The police station application has not been put before councillors, but outline permission has been granted for 15 one-bedroom flats and 19 two-bed flats.

The developers are being expected to make a contribution of £35,935.06 to primary and nursery education provision in the area and a healthcare contribution of £13,406.

Six of the two-bedroom flats are expected to be marketed as 'affordable housing'.

Though guidance indicates that a site of this size would be expected to have 52 parking spaces, officers appear to have relaxed the rules and accepted a parking provision of 36 spaces, with additional parking 'migrated' to adjacent areas.

The full report on the application and reasons why officers have approved it, can be found via this link.