COUNCILLORS said they had no option but to allow unpopular plans for a block of flats on the site of a house and GP surgery.

The proposal to build nine flats at The Ridgeway, Chalkwell, have sparked 87 letters of objection from neighbours concerned the development is too big, out of character for the area and would increase traffic.

But members of the council’s development control committee voted to extend the planning permission for the site, which was granted three years ago by a Government inspector on appeal.

They were worried the council would lose a further appeal if they rejected the plans and have to pay heavy costs.

Peter Ashley (Con, St Luke’s) said: “Neighbours clearly don’t want this.

“Surely we should be looking at the interests of neighbours and be guided by them?“ But committee chairman Brian Kelly said: “We rejected this three years ago and it was allowed on appeal.

“The permission is already there.”

Barry Godwin (Lib Dem, Leigh): “We are putting the council at great risk if we approve this.”

Gillian Azulay applied to demolish the large, detached property, at the junction of The Ridgeway and Kent View Avenue, Chalkwell, and replace it with a three-storey block with nine parking spaces.

In April, councillors rejected another plan from her for the site, involving a four-storey block of seven flats covering a larger area.