Controversial plans for a two-storey French cafe and restaurant in Billericay High Street are back in front of councillors.

The owner of Kitts DIY, David Baxter, is keen to move his business and has been fighting for permission from Basildon Council to allow a hot food outlet to open on the site.

His store is one of the oldest in the High Street. The plans will be debated at tomorrow's Billericay area committee meeting. A decision was deferred in November because of concerns about traffic.

A French company, which owns several restaurants across the Channel, plans to transform the DIY shop into a coffee and croissant snack bar and French-themed family restaurant. The first floor would house the a la carte restaurant.

Trevor Stansfield, chairman of Billericay Town Council said: "We recommended turning it down on traffic grounds.

"We have far too many food outlets in Billericay - another bistro is planned for the town hall. They should have come up with something more imaginative."

David Baxter said he would be unable to move Kitts until a decision on the existing site was made.

He said: "For the past 20 years we have been expanding on the site.

"It has come to the stage where we can't go any further. However, it is difficult to get major retailers interested in sites at this end of the High Street."

Councillors at tomorrow's meeting will also consider a letter which states the car park behind the site would remain locked in the evening. Customers would have to park elsewhere.

Councillor Peter Patrick (Con, Billericay East) was concerned about the effect this would have.

He said: "If we are not going to allow people behind the proposed restaurant, they are going to park in the adjoining streets and in the High Street. The problem is not going to go away."

The meeting will be held at 7.30pm at the Billericay Day Centre.

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