PLANS to build houses on the site of a former pub car park have been thrown out for a second time.

Councillors refused an application for four new homes behind the old Silver Jubilee, in Hilton Road, Canvey, because of concerns about the safety of schoolchildren and a lack of parking.

But Castle Point Council’s planning committee admitted the land is still likely to be developed.

The pub, which closed last August, has been converted into a Morrisons M Local convenience store, but the 50-space pub car park was sold off as a separate piece of land.

Calls were made for the site to remain as a car park, so parents could continue to use it when dropping off or picking up children at nearby Winter Gardens, and St Katherine’s primary schools, both in Hilton Road Steven Cole, Tory councillor for Winter Gardens, admits this is unlikely.

He said: “Let’s not kid ourselves, houses are going to be built on this land. Who is going to buy it so we can turn it back into a car park?”

The original scheme was thrown out because the proposed parking spaces were too narrow.

Under revised plans, eight spaces were widened and the layout was altered, but councillors deemed the lack of parking and turning space would make the development dangerous for passing pedestrians.

Peter Greig, Canvey Island Independent Party councillor for Winter Gardens, said: “It is a well known fact there are insufficient parking facilities in this area and this development will only compound that issue.

“This development will increase pressure on existing parking facilities and increase the likeliness of accidents, particularly with children travelling to and from local primary schools.”

Peter Burch, Tory councillor for Cedar Hall ward, said: “This site needs to be developed, but this is not the kind of development we need.

“I think the applicant has gone from a bad design to a worse design.”

Norman Smith, Castle Point councillor responsible for regeneration, said the applicant was now likely to lodge a planning appeal.

He said: “If we keep turning them down, they will go to appeal, and we will have no say what goes there.

“This site is going to be developed.

We need to look at howbest to develop this site instead of blatantly turning it down every time.”