Fresh plans to build old people's homes in the middle of what officials hope will become Wickford's main nightclub and restaurant area have been criticised.

Basildon Council officers are backing the bid to build 30 sheltered retirement homes and a medical centre on the site of Frasiers bar, in London Road - even though the council fought to block similar plans on appeal last year.

Now council leader Malcolm Buckley has entered the row, pointing out the site is slap-bang in the middle of an area earmarked as the future "playground of Wickford".

The town's £100million masterplan proposals would see the area filled with pubs, nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

Mr Buckley, who sits as a Tory councillor for Wickford Castledon Ward, said: "The application will be considered on its own merits, but in principle, a sheltered housing scheme in an area to be surrounded by pubs, restaurants and nightclubs would be totally inappropriate.

"We have already rejected similar plans for a sheltered housing scheme, without medical centre, on the site last year and defeated an appeal because the planning inspector agreed it was in conflict with the masterplan."

Mr Buckley said councillors had voted against officers' recommendations in the past and been proved right in the long term.

Developer Eastern Square (Essex) wants to build a four-storey sheltered complex with 30 homes and ten parking spaces.

The medical centre would have its own 24-space car park and would replace the practice currently based at 64 London Road.

Recommending approval for the scheme, a report from planning officers disagrees with Mr Buckley.

It argues: "The location of the site to the rear of the existing retail frontage would not prejudice the future redevelopment of adjacent sites to achieve the overall masterplan aims."