Planners have granted consent for part of a large store in Stanford-le-Hope to be turned into osteopathic clinic despite the community's determination to protect shops in the town centre.
Thurrock Council's development control committee granted planning permission last Wednesday for the conversion part of the former A & P Wholesale store in Stanford High Street into a clinic.
The store, which amalgamates units 4 to 10 High Street has been empty for years and has become very run-down.
The proposal would see it being sub-divided with a third of the ground floor area being given over to the clinic.
The council's planning department granted approval even though the scheme does not conform to planning policy aimed at protecting shopping centres and parades.
The council's planning department reported: "The site has been vacant for some time and efforts have been made to market the premises.
"It is considered that its return to use would result in an improvement to the appearance and vitality of this part of the High Street."
Published Friday, March 8, 2002
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