PERMISSION has been granted for a contentious development of 32 flats in an apartment block in the heart of Stanford-le-Hope.

Councillors had deferred a decision at their last meeting in the hope of changes from the applicants and one major concession granted by the developers to alleviate local concerns is that the site in the Sand Pits car park in King Street will provide 42 short term parking spaces that will be free for three hours.

Concern was raised by Stanford councillor James Halden about a newly agreed contribution of £12,650 to the local NHS, which planning officer Nadia Houghton told members would be given towards the new integrated medical centre (IMC) at Corringham, which is currently under construction.

Cllr Halden said he was confused because the costs the IMC had been fully agreed some time ago. "It is a fixed entity," he said.

"The NHS are not asking for any money. It appears particularly opaque what this money is going to pay for."

He was also concerned that the payment would mean new residents in Stanford would be 'directed' to Corringham, which already had its designated patient base.

He added: "I can't work out how this contribution has anything to do with healthcare in Stanford and Corringham. The 106 agreement doesn't make a lick of sense to me."

Cllr Kelly said he supported the development, saying: "I think realistically under our powers of planning we have done the best we can with this.

"I do like the design of these flats."

Cllr Mike Fletcher said he was concerned that the decision was being made on on the merits of the planning application but on the fear of losing an appeal.

"It is clear there is a degree of harm caused by this application and it is going to limit the existing parking.

"How is it going to meet the housing need of Stanford, we are not clear how big a contribution this is going to make?

"We should make a decision based on its merits, not fear," he said.

Cllr Fletcher went on to abstain when a vote was taken.

Cllr Terry Piccolo, who represents Stanford West Ward said he was not a great supporter of the application, but he felt he had to support it because he did not wish to jeopardise the viability of the town centre by losing the free parking if the scheme was rejected and the developers won an appeal.

He also highlighted road safety benefits by saying: "We have got a lot of shoppers in Stanford-le-Hope who park all over the yellow lines and block the roads.

"They do this because they don't want to go into the car park and pay a pound when all they want is a loaf of bread.

"They will be more likely to go into the car park if it's free and this will be of benefit to the road safety in Stanford."

The application was approved by a significant majority of councillors (5-1) with just Cllr Halden objecting to the officers' recommendation to approve the scheme.

• A previous application to build flats on the site was rejected by councillors - and by a planning inspector when the applicant took the decision to appeal. See report here.