The first detailed planning applications for a housing scheme on the site of the former Shoebury Garrison have been submitted to Southend Council.

If successful, the new scheme will create 112 homes - 40 new homes and 72 refurbished ones - which will be a mixture of one to four-bedroom houses.

Other features include a fitness club for residents, 193 parking spaces, access roads and landscaping.

The application includes some demolition work along with the felling of a number of trees - some of which are covered by tree preservation orders.

The applications - five in all - form part of a larger overall scheme by surrey-based developers Gladedale Homes Ltd, to create 465 homes on the site.

The site was bought by Gladedale in January this year for £8,155,000

Ross Brodie, Gladedale's commercial director, said: "We have still got the overall outline application for the whole of the garrison, which is still being negotiated with the council, in line with the planning design brief.

"These are detailed applications for the barracks and the parade ground area.

"The demolition elements are on small parts of the main buildings which are being tidied up so the main buildings can be seen as they would have been originally."

Mr Brodie said that as many trees as possible would be preserved and a full condition survey had been carried out on them.

He added that it was hoped the applications would be considered by Southend Council by March or April next year.

Mr Brodie said: "We have had a lot of interest and I think the thing that is surprising is the amount of local interest.

"A lot of people within Shoebury itself have been coming along to see the buildings, look around and express an interest in the properties. We are hopeful we will get the support of locals and the local council."

By Alistair Walton

Reporter's e-mail: alistair.walton@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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