PLANS for a new block of flats in Grays on the site of a social club have been approved by members of Thurrock Council’s planning committee, despite an emotional objection from the committee’s chairman who condemned the scheme in graphic terms.
At Thursday’s meeting of the committee members were recommended by their officers to support plans for demolition of the Tops Social Club on Argent Street and the building of a 24 one-bedroom apartment block, which will be built on stilts to allow 18 car parking spaces below the new homes.
Councillors were concerned about the level of affordable housing included in the scheme and the financial contribution from the developer and that will be reviewed through and independently commissioned report to be compiled.
Cllr Richard Speight said: “I would like to see a reasonable amount of pressure applied to see we get affordable housing on this site.”
Cllr Speight also expressed his concern about the loss of the club, which he described as another community asset that would be lost to the area.
However, most of the members were supportive of the scheme with the exception being chairman Cllr Terry Hipsey (pictured) who was scathing of his criticism of the quality of design and he was also upset about the loss of the club.
In a passionate summing up he said: “Another social amenity goes up in smoke. Gone! For a quarter of an acre site with 24 apartments crammed in it. It seems unbelievable. I can’t envisage who would want to buy them, they will be like rabbit hutches and you You can’t swing a cat in them. “
However, when it came to a vote he was the only dissenting voice and the scheme was approved.
