AN application has been submitted to create four luxury homes in the heart of a small rural community.

Thurrock Council has received the application from Wickford firm Penny Homes Ltd to build on the site of the former Elmdale Bulphan Service Station on Brentwood Road.

It says: "The proposed development land is a brownfield site currently occupied by various uses.

"To the north and west of the site are other residential properties. To the east and south lies open countryside.

"In 2012, a similar scheme to the current proposal was approved in the land immediately to the North of the application site. The existing buildings on the site were removed and five detached two-storey dwellings with double garages were constructed. This scheme has been implemented and the development complete.

"As per the approved scheme, this application contends that the proposal:

• retains attractive landscapes and enhances landscapes near where people live
• improves damaged and derelict land around towns
• redevelops an existing brownfield site improving the appearance of the site

The current uses of the site have resulted in scrap vehicles of various condition being stacked around the periphery of the site.

"These vehicles have a seriously detrimental impact on the character and visual amenities of the area and are detrimental to the rural character and openness of the green belt.

"The removal of existing buildings and cessation of the existing unrestricted "bad neighbour" uses would serve to improve the appearance of the rural location and improve residential amenity. It is therefore considered that there is significant merit that the proposed development would result in the removal of non-conforming uses within the green belt."

The full application and the opportunity to comment can be found via the following link.

Demolition of existing buildings and construction of four new dwellings. Bulphan Service Station, Elmdale Brentwood Road, Bulphan, RM14 3SS. Ref. No: 21/00305/FUL | Received: Wed 24 Feb 2021 | Validated: Thu 13 May 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision.