Plans for the redevelopment of the Laindon Centre have been approved after months of wrangling.

Traders, residents, investors, architects and councillors gave their views to Basildon Council's development control committee last night, which agreed the plans by six votes to one.

The scheme involves building a supermarket, 21 shops and 138 flats, with more than 500 underground parking spaces.

However the proposals received a mixed reception from members of the public.

Bert Sawyer, owner of World of Flowers in the centre, said: "I think I speak for most of the traders who have been in favour of the scheme - common sense prevailed."

However, Victor Yorke, resident and ex-councillor of Laindon said: "Nobody has any objections to the development of the shopping centre but I'm amazed such an appalling scheme is being supported.

"As well as the flats, we will be going from 24 shops to 21 so we are going to lose out."

Simon Hoare, director of Community Connect, PR company for the investor behind the scheme called the meeting "crunch time".

He said the scheme was supported by a 3,320 signature petition and backed by the traders' association, before adding that the changes will bring an estimated 400 jobs to the area.