A FIVE-STOREY block of flats will be built in Billericay, despite claims it will be a town centre eyesore.

Developer Julia McKay Properties has won approval to build 18 two-bed flats and two one-bed homes next to St Edith’s Court, Billericay. The latest plans will bring the number of homes in the development to 47.

Billericay Town Council objected to the plans as the flats are in a conservation area, but Basildon Council accepted the proposal.

John Buchanan, town council leader, said: “The majority of the town centre is in a conservation area, and we try to keep it that way.

“We thought at the time a five storey block of flats would not be right, but Basildon Council has disagreed with us on this one.

“Putting in a five-storey building so close to the High Street, where some of the buildings are over 500 years old, is not in keeping with the area.”

The plans are a replacement of a previous scheme to build 16 flats.