Defiant developers have sparked fury by resubmitting plans for 17 flats at a landmark site in Leigh rejected by councillors just weeks ago.

The scheme to build 17 flats at the Midel building in Leigh Broadway received huge opposition from residents associations, heritage groups and the town council first time around.

They were eventually refused by Southend Council's development control committee after councillors criticised the plans for attempting to overdevelop the area into a "New York-on-sea".

A second application for the scheme - almost the same as the first - has been received which the council now has to consider.

Members of Leigh Town Council's planning committee has already registered its objection to the second application which it says is virtually identical to the first.

Donald Fraser, who is on the committee, said: "We were all horrified to see it again and it seems they are hoping no one will object to this plan the second time round, even though it's almost exactly the same as the first.

"We supported the borough council in its decision to refuse it last time, and we can only hope they stick to their guns and do the same again."

Published Thursday September 16, 2004

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