A developer has withdrawn a controversial application to redevelop shops and flats in Benfleet after council officers recommended its refusal.

Business owners at the site, in High Road, have welcomed the decision by Linatrop to retract its plans to build 15 flats and four shops, which would have forced many of them out of the area.

However, the developers have indicated the plans may still be revised and resubmitted.

More than 1,000 people objected to the proposals, either through a petition which was presented in the Houses of Parliament, or by writing to the council's planning department.

Thakor Patel, who runs Alf's newsagent on the site, said: "They have withdrawn it and it should stay like that because, even if they resubmit it, I don't know how they are going to deal with the parking situation.

"They are trying to put too much on the site.

"They want to bring the whole building forward so I don't know where customers for the shops are going to park.

"Everyone in the community wants it to stay the same and no one wants to lose the shops which are already here."

Planning officers at Castle Point Council believed the building would be "unattractive" and said the space between the proposed building and nearby properties in Adelaide Gardens was not enough.

However, a representative for Linatrop said the firm was stunned by the officers' recommendation.

In a letter to the council's planning department, Colin Eades, of the Eades Hotwani Partnership, which is the agent for Linatrop, said: "I wish to record the total amazement of both our client and myself that this is with a recommendation for refusal.

"During the whole planning process and our regular monitoring with yourselves and highways officials, at no time were we given any indication whatsoever the proposals would receive an adverse recommendation."

Castle Point Council has confirmed it has accepted the withdrawal of the application, but officers are still working with the company on its plans.