An unhappy home owner has urged neighbours to unite and send objection letters to Castle Point Council in an effort to stop a new youth centre being built in Benfleet.

Paul Buzer, 55, of Brook Road, Benfleet, can't understand why councillors have given the £125,000 building the go-ahead.

Angry - Paul Buzer saysbuilding a youth centre on this Brook Road, Benfleet, site is wrong Picture: ROB BROWNE

He feels the project, led by charity Legacy XS, should be built on Canvey.

Mr Buzer, whose road backs onto South Benfleet playing fields where the centre will rise, said: "The decision doesn't make any sense.

"For a start they will be building on a public park, which should not be allowed and it is a proposed two-storey building, which would be out of keeping with the area.

"Fellow residents have until January 20 to lodge their objections with the council's planning department."

Mr Buzer wrote to the council last week listing his grievances after reading about the project getting the green light during last Monday's full council meeting.

He feels the council hasn't thought the idea through.

He maintains land next to Waterside Farm Sports Centre in Somnes Avenue, Canvey, would be more suited for the scheme.

The centre and skatepark venture is planned to cover around a quarter-of-an-acre of the park at the rear of Richmond Hall.

Published Tuesday, January 14, 2003

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