DESPITE the objections of residents and a local councillor who described the scheme as a bid to 'cram more houses into plots and destroy the area's character', permission has been granted to demolish two homes in Stanford-le-Hope and build seven new ones in their place.

The development on Third Avenue, which will see two properties - a chalet style bungalow and a two storey dwelling – demolished has got the green light from planning officers.

Sixteen local residents, including Cllr Gary Collins, objected to the plan for the properties at 53 and 55 Third Avenue.

Cllr Collins said: "I would like to lodge an objection against the proposed plan to demolish two beautiful bungalows in order to cram seven more houses onto their plots. This will destroy the character of the street and create even more parking problems."

The approved proposal is for the demolition the existing dwellings and the construction of seven new four-bedroom homes.

Though the new development will almost certainly bring new families into the area, adding to pressure on existing medical and education facilities, the agreement between the council and developers does not specify the need for any contribution to local amenities, other than a £5,000 payment towards the funding of a 'traffic order to review and implement parking restrictions in the vicinity of the development'.

In granting consent council officers say they have 'taken into account all relevant planning considerations and matters arising from comments from statutory consultees and public representations'.

In the presentation by the site's developers Cedarmill Developments Ltd they say: "Both existing properties are considerably larger in width than the surrounding properties and do not follow the rhythm of the wider street frontage. Consequently, the dwellings and no. 53 & 55 Third Avenue appear to be on oversized plots in comparison to the majority of properties in and around Third Avenue.

"This results in an underdeveloped site within the centre of residential area which has a more intense pattern of development."