THE demolition of a church hall to make way for 19 flats is recommended for approval despite more than 40 objections from residents reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
St Michaels Church Hall, in Mill Road, Aveley, South Ockendon has already been demolished for the proposed three, two and three-storey blocks of flats and Thurrock’s planning committee have been asked to give their approval.
If given the go ahead, there will be 19 two-bedroom flats with 25 parking spaces.
The former St Michael’s Church Hall had been subject to vandalism before being demolished in 2022. The building had been unused since at least October 2014. The committee has been asked to decide the application because it will be a loss of a community site.
The council has received 43 letters of objection and just two I n support of the scheme.
Concerns included more building isn’t needed in the area, a lack of local facilities, the height and scale of development and the impact on neighbours.
Lisa Marjoram of St Michael’s Close, Aveley, said: “We strongly object to this development going ahead. There is not enough space for 19 two-bed apartments. The site is very small. This will cause congestion, noise and cars /lorries on top of existing gardens and homes.
“The site has the entrance running along the fences of St Paul’s Close’s residents gardens which is not acceptable. Our garden will be overlooked by the three-storey block. I We do not want to be looked down on by residents in the apartments.”
Kay Rudman of Perry Way, Aveley, added: “I strongly object. More than enough homes have been built in Aveley now.
“A new hall would be more beneficial so residents can hire for functions, fund raising events could be held here, a pensioners club, a playgroup, anything that can be of use to the entire community like it once was. No more housing.”
Those who supported the scheme said it would create jobs, tidy up waste grounds and be beneficial for people in the area.
In a report to the committee, which will meet on Tuesday, planning officers said: “The proposal would make best use of previously developed land in a sustainable location close to Aveley town centre.
“Whilst the loss of a community use is regrettable there has been no attempt to restart the use since the building closed in 2014, the building has been demolished and it is considered unlikely a new community use would come forward on this site. The Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing supply and the provision of 19 units on this site would accord with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.”
