Plans to demolish the former police station in Pitsea and replace it with new residential flats have received approval from Basildon Council. The station was closed by Essex Police in 2016 as part of a countywide restructuring of police facilities.
Octagon Development Ltd’s proposal to construct 22 flats at the site was greenlit, as reported by the Basildon Echo. Despite this, more than 20 objection letters from residents on Rectory Road raised concerns about potential parking issues in Howard Crescent and the surrounding areas.
Local Conservative councillor Craig Rimmer, who broke ranks from the Tory-run council, voiced his reservations about the project. Rimmer criticized the scheme as “inappropriate” and expressed doubts about its implementation, citing existing parking congestion problems.
Rimmer, who represents the local ward, stated, “I am not confident this building will turn into flats because it is becoming increasingly difficult to build on brownfield sites. Just because there are plans in place, it doesn’t mean they will come to fruition.”
According to the submitted blueprints, the development will consist of both three-story and two-story sections, accommodating 22 car parking spaces. The L-shaped building, which dates back to the 1970s, is currently situated on Rectory Road but will be demolished as part of the project.
In a planning statement submitted by Octagon Development, the project is described as a solution to address “poor” housing delivery in the borough. The statement further noted, “The poor delivery is a serious situation and means that the presumption in favour of sustainable development currently applies in the borough.”
The approval of the plan comes as the council has faced warnings of government intervention if it fails to agree on a local plan that dictates housing development locations for the next decade and beyond.
Octagon Development Ltd’s proposal to construct 22 flats at the site was greenlit, as reported by the Basildon Echo. Despite this, more than 20 objection letters from residents on Rectory Road raised concerns about potential parking issues in Howard Crescent and the surrounding areas.
Local Conservative councillor Craig Rimmer, who broke ranks from the Tory-run council, voiced his reservations about the project. Rimmer criticized the scheme as “inappropriate” and expressed doubts about its implementation, citing existing parking congestion problems.
Rimmer, who represents the local ward, stated, “I am not confident this building will turn into flats because it is becoming increasingly difficult to build on brownfield sites. Just because there are plans in place, it doesn’t mean they will come to fruition.”
According to the submitted blueprints, the development will consist of both three-story and two-story sections, accommodating 22 car parking spaces. The L-shaped building, which dates back to the 1970s, is currently situated on Rectory Road but will be demolished as part of the project.
In a planning statement submitted by Octagon Development, the project is described as a solution to address “poor” housing delivery in the borough. The statement further noted, “The poor delivery is a serious situation and means that the presumption in favour of sustainable development currently applies in the borough.”
The approval of the plan comes as the council has faced warnings of government intervention if it fails to agree on a local plan that dictates housing development locations for the next decade and beyond.
