A High Street crammed with watering holes and eateries is to get yet another restaurant, it has been revealed.

Taste of things to come - the building in Billericay High Street that is set to become a restaurant. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 6DHAW3

Plans to convert a former estate agents office into a new restaurant in Billericay have been given the go-ahead.

Councillors, who have been concerned at the number of new dining venues opening in the town, have told developers the site is not to become a take-away joint.

The decision has fuelled debate that Billericay is becoming flooded by eateries and late-night drinking holes, yet it seems councillors were given no choice but to pass the plan.

Estate agent Bairstow Eves moved in August from its premises opposite Dowdall and Jordan to new offices at the other end of the street.

Now landlord Logatella has been given the nod to find a new tenant and redevelop the offices into a restaurant.

Billericay area committee agreed to the plan amid fears the site would remain empty unless a change of use was granted.

Councillors were told the vital changes needed to convert the site into a shop could not be carried out because the building was listed. But Phil Turner (Con, Billericay West) thinks the town is already well served by restaurants and he fears shoppers could be forced away.

He said: "I am concerned that if we continue to erode the street scene the heart will be ripped from the centre of our community."

Published Tuesday January 15, 2002