CUSTOMERS and owners of a popular Thurrock cafe will be holding their breath over a planning application which has been submitted long after the work was carried out.

Bombers Cafe on a layby Loft Hall and north of Orsett Cock roundabout was demolished and rebuilt during last year's lockdown.

It reopened with an increased floorspace and new cooking facilites and proved as successful as ever - even expanding into evening trade.

However, the work was carried out without planning permission, prompting a restrospective application submitted last June.

That was for 'retention of a cafe' building but because the former building was demolished and replaced rather than 'retained', the application was questionable and last week owner Chris Martin withdrew it and submitted a new application.

It states that the site has been used as a cafe for at least 20 years and possibly 30 years.

The application says: "All that has changed is the building on site which dated from the 1970s has been replaced due to age, wear and tear.

"The replacement building is far more sensitive to its setting and customer requirements."

Bombers is currently open for takeaway service and has a Facebook page.

You can check out the new application and comment on it via this link.