BATTLE lines are being drawn over plans to demolish a home overlooking the Thames Estuary in Leigh and replacing it with “eyesore” flats.

Developers have submitted plans to Southend Council to demolish 135 Marine Parade, Leigh, and build seven flats in its place. 

Previously, plans had been approved to convert the home - touted to once have links to Dame Vera Lynn - into six flats. 

But issues in the conversion meant they have gone back to the drawing board. 

Raymond Wright, who is looking to move to the Marine Estate, said: “I understand that housing is needed and that this is a really popular area where people want to live but the main issue here is the fact that it’s a beautiful road with houses that are in a very similar style - don’t come into a residential area and put up some monstrosity. 

“If they were putting forward this planning permission they should at least make the flats fit in with the surrounding area. 

“They’re just sticking a modern eyesore in there.”

Matthew Thomas, a nearby resident, insisted initial plans to renovate the property were more favourable. 

He said: “I’m not against regeneration of places but there is a difference between considerate and sympathetic renovation of place, and this which is an ill-considered and a frankly proposal that has very little regard to its surroundings. It is disappointing, mundane and bland and would date very quickly.”

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‘Former home of Vera Lynn’ could become block of flats

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Louisa Wright, who lives near Chalkwell Station, raised concerns that if this development goes ahead, it could lead to the whole area becoming covered in new build homes.

She said: “I just think they’re a bit of an eyesore and they’re completely out of keeping with any other building in the area. 

“Once you give the go ahead to one of these things the next thing you know is there’s more and more of it happening and you slowly but surely lose the charm of what is Leigh."

Architect of the plans, Scott Fairley, insisted there is already a mix of homes in the area and residents have no need to be concerned. 

He said: “The other side of the Thames Drive junction directly opposite is flats so the houses along there range from detached houses to semi-detached houses along that section of marine parade. 

“As far as an architectural vernacular of this, there’s a mixture. 

“There’s some 60s properties, there’s some older properties and there’s three really nice bespoke contemporary dwellings that another architect has done so I think the road itself it does lend itself to contemporary seaside architecture really. 

“It’s more economical to do this and you’ll end up with some really well built homes that perform well above building regulations and will go on to survive years ahead.”

Developer Peter Hills insisted the initial plans were not viable. 

He added: “We were trying to put a house together that complied with regulations and standards but it wasn’t working. 

“The house is just not structurally viable so because the engineers don’t consider it to be viable we’ve now put in a new application to knock it down and make a new build.”