SOUTHEND is in danger of losing its much-needed bungalows if the council continues to approve plans to transform them into larger two-storey homes, the mayor has claimed.

Mayor Ron Woodley asked the development control committee to refuse an application to turn a bungalow in Parkanaur Avenue, into a five-bedroom house last week.

However the plans were approved, despite a previous application being refused, sparking concerns it could set a precedent for other similar developments.

Mr Woodley said: “We cannot keep losing bungalows. All we will have is a knock-on effect, with the next bungalow turned into a house because the one before it was turned into a house. We have to draw the line.

“Bungalows are key. As we age people need and want to still live in their homes in single storeys without the fear of going up and down stairs as they get older. We will lose the ability for people to downsize to a bungalow.”

No objections to the development had been submitted by neighbours but Mr Woodley, Independent councillor for the Thorpe ward, claimed a number of residents contacted him personally raising concerns.

The plans were approved under permitted development rights, which leaves councils little room for refusal.

Speaking at a development control meeting on Wednesday, Mr Woodley, Independent councillor for Thorpe Ward, said: “Although neighbouring properties have not written to object I’ve had a number of objections to this application.

“In my opinion, this current application is much more in size than a previous application which was refused and will cause the original bungalow to be subservient to the proposed development, rather the development being subservient to the original dwelling which I believe is our policy.”

Kevin Buck, Conservative councillor for Prittlewell Ward said the trend was down to land availability.

He said: “I do have sympathy with the argument councillor Woodley put forward. We definitely do need to preserve our bungalow stock. However, what we are seeing in front of us is a consequence of a lack of availability of land to build good size family homes.

“There have been no objections and it’s been recommended for approval. I can find no planning reason to object to this. All of the surrounding houses are two-storey properties and this is probably an outlier from all of the buildings that surround it.”