A THIRD shop converted into a home without planning permission must be restored back to its original use as Southend Council continues its campaign against unauthorised work.

Southend Council’s development control committee have given the owner of the building three months to reverse the changes and convert 67 West Road, Shoebury, back into a shop.

It is the third such action taken against the owners of what was once a parade of shops on the road.

Number 69 and 71 West Road have also had enforcement notices issued against them and been ordered to transform the homes back into shops.

Southend Council has stated its policy is to “preserve retail areas” but Tony Cox, leader of the Reform Party in Southend, branded the move “stupid” because of a housing shortage in the area.

Several shops in West Road have lain empty and dilapidated and unused.

Mr Cox said: “How stupid. We’ve got a homes crisis. We’ve got shops that are underused in a dead shopping area but we tell them to turn it back.

“Yes they should have got planning permission but common sense should prevail. How daft.”

The ground floor of the end-of-terrace building, which was once a dog grooming business, was converted into a flat without consent.

A previous application to turn the ground floor of the premises into a one-bedroom flat was refused.

The council began an investigation in November 2022 into information that the commercial unit had been converted into a studio flat without planning permission. This was confirmed following a site visit.

The council’s enforcement officer then notified the owners regarding the unauthorised change. The council said since then, several unsuccessful applications have been submitted. The Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal against this council’s refusal of the 2022 prior approval application for conversion to a flat.

A report to the development control committee on Wednesday said: “Primary and secondary shopping frontages within Southend will be managed to reinforce their attractiveness, vitality, and viability within the daytime and night-time economies. The character and function of both types of frontage will be protected and enhanced.”

The owner will have three months to cease the use of the flat and to remove all fixtures and fittings which facilitate its use as a home.