A FORMER hotel which was destroyed by a fire could be demolished to make way for a new warehouse and builders' merchant.

Lowden Roofing and Building Supplies wants to demolish the former Lakeside Garden Inn in Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet and has submitted an application to Thurrock Council.

The crumbling three-storey building was hit by arson attacks in March 2010 leaving it badly damaged. It has lain empty since though the site has been used for storage.

If planning permission is granted, the site will be cleared to make way for the new L-shaped warehouse.

The ground floor will be a shop area with multiple till stations for the purchase of small tools and materials and for the ordering of bulk purchases.

There will also be a storage area plus welfare area for staff with a kitchen and toilets.

The applicant said: "The buildings on this site are in serious disrepair as a result of a number of fires in 2010

"The proposal will substantially improve the existing state of the building and make use of a site that has been vacant for over 15 years, and will avoid serious incidents such as deliberate fires in 2010, or fly tipping.

The site today.

It is located in an industrial area and will help Thurrock towards its target of 26,000 jobs. The proposal will make use of an otherwise derelict, decaying site."

An investigation was launched after two fires at the hotel in March 2010 which saw multiple fire crews battle the night time blazes for hours. Fire investigators concluded the fires had been started deliberately.

Over the years there have been successive planning applications for the site including for a nightclub and a takeaway and bar, both of which were refused.

The full application and the opportunity to comment can be found via this link: https://regs.thurrock.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=R6OPQEQGIY000