ADDITIONAL homes added to complex despite concerns.

Thurrock Council planning officers gave the go ahead for three more apartments on a four-storey block that originally had approval for 15 flats.

Building work has already started on the Crescent House site at 545 London Road, South Stifford, Grays.

The modern building will have projecting balconies to the apartments and parking will be provided to the rear of the building, with 23 parking bays and secure cycle parking.

There will be nine, one-bed and nine, two-bed apartments, each with an open-plan lounge and kitchen.

The additional flats will be built on the second and third floors of the block.

The site backs onto the raised railway embankment and concerns were raised that passing trains and road traffic could present a potential for noise disturbance, with flats with habitable rooms facing towards the railway and the road.

A subsequent noise assessment demonstrated that noise mitigation was required for the flats with double glazing and wall and roof insulation.

As with the previous scheme there is no potential for affordable housing to be provided on site and therefore it is considered appropriate to once again secure a contribution towards off-site affordable housing provision A s106 agreement for a contribution of £93,000 towards off-site affordable housing provision will now rise to £116,627.

In addition, there will be payment of £9,000 towards improved local NHS services.

Approving the new scheme, planning officers said: "While the principle of development is acceptable and it is noted that an extant permission has been implemented on site, the current scheme gives rise to some concern in regards the potential for noise and disturbance within outdoor amenity spaces and balconies.

"However it is considered that the development provides substantially more benefits than are outweighed by negative impacts."