AMBITIOUS plans for a new Italian restaurant next to Thorpe Bay train station have stalled.

Residents have raised concerns about the transformation of the Station House into a plush new restaurant, complete with landscaped lawns.

The proposal was for a family-run restaurant, serving rustic authentic Italian food.

Ron Woodley, Independent councillor for Thorpe, said nearby residents were worried about noise, and the overall look of the restaurant, and this had led to the plug being pulled. He said: “The applicant has taken on board the issues raised and has withdrawn it to come back with another application.

“Hopefully it will take into consideration the concerns of residents.”

Plans for the building, which has sat empty for the past 30 years, were put in to Southend Council earlier this year by Rayleigh-based applicant JVB developments.

Mohammed Hossain, who owns a kiosk at the neighbouring station, said he would like to see a restaurant there as long as it did not disturb residents.

He said: “I am running a small business so I wouldn’t have any objection to another business, but I can’t speak for residents.

“If it is not disturbing the neighbours I don’t have any objections. I think the building will look better for it.”

The Echo tried to contact Danny Knott, the architect and designer for the project, for comment, but did not receive a reply.