A PROPOSAL to build new homes in the car park of a former Canvey pub looks likely to be rejected...again.

The main reason for refusal centres around concerns for the safety of children at two nearby schools.

Castle Point Council is set to rule on a fresh application to build four houses behind the former Silver Jubilee pub, in Hilton Road.

The pub, closed last August and has since been converted into a Morrisons M Local convenience store.

The previous application was rejected in February because planners felt parking spaces for the homes were too narrow.

The site is near Winter Gardens and St Katherine’s primary schools and neighbours argue people living in the houses would end up parking in alreadycongested streets nearby.

The new application includes eight parking spaces, all of them wider than the original scheme, and changes to the layout.

However planning officers are once again recommending refusal – this time because an Essex Highways report says: “Given the proximity of the two primary schools there are considerable volumes of pedestrian traffic at certain times of day.

“The proposal would therefore be detrimental to highway safety.”

Peter Greig, Canvey Independent Party councillor for Winter Gardens, is backing residents’ opposition to the plan.

He said: “I’m very pleased and I hope the application gets refused. I don’t really understand why it was put back on the table.

“Having spoken to the residents already, I know they want it rejected.”

The proposal is for two fourbedroom detached houses and two three-bedroom chalets.

Castle Point Council’s development control committee will rule on the application on Tuesday.