Pitsea Police Station to be demolished for new flats

Basildon Council has now approved the proposal to demolish the police station and replace it with a three-storey building containing 22 new flats in Rectory Road.

The station was closed in 2016 as Essex Police moved to more than halve the number of stations across the county in a bid to meet budget cuts.

Despite plans being granted, councillors were disappointed with the plans.

Luke Mackenzie, councillor responsible for Pitsea South East ward, said: “While I welcome that the stie will be used, I know that residents have expressed concerns about the size and density of development.

“I think something similar for this location would have been better.

“Of course, I would have preferred that a police station remained on the site, but it has been closed for many years and it is unlikely to return.”

The building, a two-storey L-shaped station from built in the 1970s, is still standing but will be knocked down once work begins.

The development will be part three-storey part two-storey tall and comprise of 17 two-bed flats and five one-bed flats, along with 22 car parking spaces including three disabled spaces .

Craig Rimmer, councillor responsible for Pitsea South East ward, added: “I don’t think there should be flats on this site.

“Houses would have been more appropriate.

“I expressed my concerns about this development and so did residents. There are already issues with parking in that area and the current street scene is made up of houses.

“I hope the developers think again and come back with a plan that suits the area.”

When proposals were submitted, Rectory Road residents handed in 22 letters of objection, with many claiming the proposal lacks sufficient on-site parking and will add to parking issues in Howard Crescent and surrounding roads.

The decision report stated: “In accordance with the plan accompanying the said application, the council do hereby give notice of their decision to grant permission.”