Campaigners are ready to do battle again as councillors prepared to debate whether to allow a nursing home on Canvey.

Although a 12 bedroom unit housing patients with mental health problems was refused last month - a different development for the same Long Road site has been put forward and could well get the go-ahead.

The new proposal is for a detached three storey nursing home capable of housing 33 people.

Ian Burchill, Castle Point Council's director of planning, has recommended the town planning committee approves the plan, which is for a renewal of an old application.

The development was actually given permission in June 1994, but it expired last month.

Although planning law has changed in that time, and the application does not now "strictly comply" with policy regarding the amount of distance to neighbouring buildings, Mr Burchill said it would be "unreasonable" to refuse on those grounds.

The authority has already received many letters from concerned residents who were jubilant when councillors agreed with them about Moat Housing Group's proposed home for ex-Runwell Hospital patients with mental health problems at a meeting last month.

Lynn Pullinger, of Long Road, led the protests and has said this different application was "just as horrendous".

She said: "I can't believe this has been recommended for approval. If this gets the go-ahead who is to say that Moat won't then come in and take over.

"It is such an overdevelopment of the site and there will be a big problem with overlooking."

The town planning committee will meet from 7.30pm tonight at the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley.

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