PLANS for a synthetic ice rink at a Canvey amusement park have been approved by councillors.

Leisure Island Fun Park, in Furtherwick Road, asked Castle Point Council for permission to put the 21m by 9m rink within the park.

Canvey Independent Party councillor Joan Liddiard (Canvey South) said she thought members should back the new attraction.

She said: “In order to continue to bring tourism to Canvey it is a welcome addition to a popular amusement park.”

Scott Petty, manager of the amusement park, said after the meeting the approval was a step forward in the regeneration of the seafront.

He said: “We are really pleased it has gone through.

“The main thing for the seafront is it extends the season.

“It is going to be a new attraction to draw more people down to it, instead of the whole seafront shutting in October.”

Mr Petty said the new rink would help to create more jobs for the area. Traders had teamed up to offer families a fun day out.

He added: “We have linked up with the cinema and the bowling alley.

“It is a joint venture among the traders. We can offer a package now.

“Individually, none of us could do it, but together we can offer skating for a couple of hours, bowling and then a film.

“For an individual coming to Canvey they can have a good day out.

“Probably six jobs can be created through it. This is on top of if we extend the season, so we can keep people working in the winter. Before, we could only offer seasonal work.

“If we can build this up so it is non-seasonal, you start creating permanent jobs.”

Concerns were raised about the appearance of the new rink and the use of music, but officers said it was acceptable in the context of the surrounding rides and attached a condition so no amplified music can be played unless details of the sound system are approved by the council.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of allowing the new rink.