A bold deal has clinched Castle Point Council £80,000 worth of improvements in Hadleigh in return for letting developers build 72 new homes.

The planning committee agreed plans from Hollybrook Ltd to demolish industrial buildings at Oak Road South, Hadleigh, and build two apartment blocks

Councillors were so keen to see the project get started, they overrode planning director Ian Burchill's earlier advice to defer the decision until next month's meeting to allow time to go on a site visit.

Instead they went ahead and voted to approve the scheme at the plot described by one councillor as looking like a "bomb site".

Mr Burchill said most of the windows on the three and four-storey blocks would face towards the courtyard of the development, rather than Oak Road South.

He said: "The developers were asked if they would make a contribution towards the area - £30,000 for environmental improvements in the Oak Road area and £50,000 for resurfacing in Castle Lane car park. They have agreed both requests. The site certainly needs redevelopment."

Castle Point Mayor, Charles Smith (Lab, Cedar Hall) - who had suggested seeking the extra cash from the developers - proposed the plans should be approved immediately.

Neighbours also backed the plans. Roy English (Lab, St George's) said: "It's very unusual to get calls from residents approving a new development, but they are saying: 'Get on with it'. "

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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